REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1129440
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
FOR
ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
Johnson Tidsall Limited Chartered Accountants 81 Burton Road Derby Derbyshire DE1 1TJ
ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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Page
Vicar's Report 1
Report of the Trustees 2 to 10
Independent Examiner's Report 11
Receipts and Payments Account CC 16A
Statement of Assets and Liabilities CC 16B
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
VICAR'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The report covers the period before the new clergy were fully installed in February 2024. As a result it is not written by the Vicar and is briefer than normal.
We were very blessed by having a ministry team, shared between St Nick's and St Paul's, that consisted of a retired Vicar, the Children, Youth & Family Worker (CYFW), three Readers (with varied availability), plus other ordained ministers in particular Carol Price and Lee Martin. Collectively, the team brought a good range of experience from other churches.
Dawn Knight, our Curate, held her last service at St Nick's and St Paul's on 23 April to take up the post of Priest-in-Charge of Cotmanhay and Shipley.
There has been a monthly cycle on Sunday mornings: Informal Worship; Together at the Table (informal Holy Communion); Morning Praise; Bible Study; joint service with St Paul's (5th Sunday). On the 4th Sunday there is also Traditional Holy Communion at 3 pm.
An important part of the church's ministry is links with local schools. The CYFW plays a key role in this and the Curate / Vicar may also be involved. Special Christmas services for schools are held.
Under the leadership of the CYFW, strong community links have been forged with young families through the well-attended weekly Play 'n Praise sessions.
Other initiatives have included distributing Christmas cards to the nearby new housing estate on Kedleston Road.
A role of paid Administrator serving St Nicholas and St Paul's has been in place for some years. During 2023 the role was covered by the CYFW working additional hours. With the forthcoming appointment of new clergy, as well as transferring tasks back from church members to the Administrator, it was anticipated that more resource would be needed and the post was advertised. Four candidates were interviewed and Emma Patterson was appointed, starting in October.
Paul Taylor, Warden, February 2024
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
St Nicholas Church is situated in Allestree Lane, Allestree, Derby. It is part of the Diocese of Derby within the Church of England. The church is a registered charity 'The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Nicholas Church, Allestree, Derby', Registration Number 1129440. The registered and correspondence address is 2 Lawn Avenue, Allestree, Derby, DE22 2PE; contact details are telephone 01332-550431; e-mail stnicksallestree@outlook.com.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the clergy in promoting the whole mission of the Church in the parish - pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC also has maintenance responsibilities for St Nick's buildings and grounds.
The mission of St Nicholas, Allestree is: to know and worship God, and make God's love more widely known.
The PCC has complied with the duty imposed upon it by Section 17 of the Charities Acts 2011 to have regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission in respect of public benefit and has set out in its charity registration how it can achieve that benefit.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Electoral role report
Since the 2023 APCM, there have been 3 members who died, 2 who have moved permanently into residential care and 1 who no longer worships at St. Nick's and requested to be omitted. New total up to April 2024 = 52.
Since 2019, numbers have steadily decreased as below: 2019 - 77 2020 - 71 2021 - 71 2022 - 64 2023 - 58 2024 - 52
Gill Hannah
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
PCC report
The PCC has met 4 times since the last APCM (4th May 2023), with an average attendance of 12.
At every PCC meeting the following items have been discussed or reported on:-
Church Vision, Services, CYFW report, Financial report, Safeguarding update, Buildings sub-committee, GDPR, Deanery synod.
The highlights of the meetings were :-
July 13th:
" A £3000 grant to help with the local community youth club was reported (the group had started at the beginning of the year )
" As part of the church vision an Alpha course was planned for early 2024.
" The Parish profile was completed and agreed for the clergy adverts
Sept 21st:
" The new administrator Emma Patterson had been appointed .
" A draft agreement for the new Scouts Lease had been issued and discussions were ongoing.
" An electronic rolling screen had been installed in the lobby
November 16th:
" Sarah Watson and Rachael Brooks had been appointed as the incumbents for the parish group.
" The safeguarding training status was reviewed and actions put in place to complete
" Annas CFYW contract was extended to end of March 24
January 25th:
" Sarah Watson was welcomed to her first St Nicks PCC
" Roof damage from a high wind storm had been repaired
" Finances for 2023 were discussed and the hall fees were increased to cover the large energy bills
Deanery Synod report 2023
Synod meetings have been reduced from four to three meetings a year. The first meeting was a communion service welcoming new members to the Synod and outlining its aims.
The main focus of the Deanery Synod is centred on growing faith and youth growth.
Churches are encouraged to build up communities by setting up community groups, cafes and activities…and promoting them on social media and in the local press.
The Synod continues to work towards developing links between the church, the neighbourhood and schools. Connecting with schools plays an important part of growing faith within youth groups. Our youth leader, Anna, is doing a wonderful job working with families and schools, as well as running a successful youth group.
The last Deanery Synod meeting was held online due to bad weather. This meeting was based on the election of new Synod reps.
Elaine Dunstan has now joined me as a Synod member for St Nicks
Miriam Chappell
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Church Warden's report Maintenance
-
The Community Payback scheme that had been used previously was unable to continue this year but we were grateful for what had been achieved under Mike's management.
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The monthly 'Men's Maintenance' half-day meetings of four people continued. These deal with issues of equipment, buildings and grounds maintenance that can be dealt with by those involved, as well as discussing bigger issues needing professional input.
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The Sew Much Fun team had continued to upgrade facilities, with the vestry blinds being completed and new frontals for music stands being made.
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In the Hall, damage caused by ingress of moisture into walls in the women's toilets and the Hall itself had been previously identified. Clive has re-plastered affected areas of wall in the men's toilet and work elsewhere is planned.
Minor repair / maintenance jobs completed included
" Using a roofer to repair a leak near the bell tower, and replacing ridge tiles in two places after severe gales.
" Replacing door restraints in the church entrance and vestry.
" In the Hall using the maintenance contractor to repair two of the gas heaters, fitting curtain tie-back hooks, modifying external Lobby doors to prevent them catching when necessary, replacing external Lobby door restraint hooks. " PAT testing was carried out in October.
" Our new Administrator Emma made a significant improvement to the tidiness of the Hall lobby and noticeboards.
Vegetation
The two-weekly grass mowing programme continued and appeared to be sufficient, with the memorial garden being included as necessary.
Clare and Richard arranged for the hedge along Allestree Lane to be trimmed again by a local farmer, saving us a significant cost / amount of effort. Huge thanks again to John C for carrying out trips to the tip.
Cleaning
Regular internal cleaning by the contract cleaners Wellshine continued. The Church itself has been cleaned by members with ad-hoc tasks as necessary.
Scout Hall Lease
The renewal process has continued (after the suddden death of our previous solicitor John Waldron) with a change of solicitor who has proved to be very helpful. The length of the document and the particular legal language has contributed to delays in assessing this by both the ourselves and the Scouts but hopefully the process will be completed soon.
Advertising for a new Vicar
The situation regarding appointing a new Vicar was clarified by the Archdeacon during the year when it was announced that two clergy would be sought to be responsible for the four parishes of St Nicholas, St Paul's, St Edmund's and St Matthew's. Having agreed a Parish Profile with St Paul's this formed the basis for one covering all four churches. The advertising process was started and two applications received. A day of interviews involving the Archdeacon and reps from all four churches was held in September with the outcome that both were offered and accepted the positions. Sarah Watson to move into the vicarage at St Nicholas with focus on St Nicholas and St Paul's, Rachael Brooks to move into the St Matthew's Vicarage when vacant with focus on St Matthew's and St Edmond's. The licensing procedures took place in January and February 2024.
Paul Taylor and Graham Tanner, February 2024
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
CYFW (Children's, Youth and Families Worker) report
The last 12 months have been ones of sustaining and maintaining the established youth, children and family ministries in the interregnum especially with Rev Dawn leaving in April 2023.
Schools Work
Our relationship with the local schools has continued well, particularly with Woodlands secondary and Curzon primary. Our relationship with Portway Juniors school has sadly dwindled. Portway Infants continues to come to St. Nick's for Easter Experience and their Christmas school service as do Lawn School.
" School Assemblies/Collective Worship
Curzon School - we have retained weekly leading on Monday mornings Collective Worship. Phil Moncur very kindly stepped in to help cover these, alternating with me, after Dawn left. We follow the school's themes for the term, the church calendar and attempt to cover "gaps" in the pupils Christian knowledge. Feedback remains positive and encouraging from both pupils and staff.
Portyway Juniors - Involvement with organising and delivering Tuesday assemblies came to a stop in September 2023 as the assembly time they invite us in is on Tuesdays when Play'n'Praise is on. So this was handed over to Will Harvey at Woodlands Church.
Walter Evans - Dawn took the odd collective worship there and I have been invited to do so in the future should availability allow.
" All Sorts (Curzon lunchtime club) Moved from a Tuesday to a Wednesday due to Play'n'Praise and Youth Group also being on a Tuesday. Having developed a "drop in" style session for the full lunch hour with both Key Stage 1& 2 children dropping in and out as their lunch eating times allow, we have continued. In the warmer months this is held outside and in the colder, wetter ones it moves into Yr3 classroom. Usually this runs for both Key Stage 1 & 2 but as this is a wide age range to engage with and due to numbers when we are inside it's occasionally just for KS2. The Bible story from Monday's collective worship is recapped and a thematic craft and/or game provided. Numbers vary from 4 to 20 depending on the weather, capacity in the classroom and appropriateness of the craft i.e. felt tip pens and reception are not a good mix! Jenni Capel's ongoing commitment to helping run this group is invaluable and highly appreciated.
" Woodlands chaplaincy/pastoring has been consistently strong for the last 12 months, meeting fortnightly with students for 1-2-1s on Wednesday mornings. At the end of March Broadway Baptist Church's youth and children's worker left and as yet they have not yet appointed a new one. As a result the 'Wellbeing Space' has ceased to run at break/lunch times. A strong positive this last year as been the interplay between the school pastoring and youth group as the young people all attend Woodlands School.
" Allestree Youth Collective (AYC) Youth Group has now been running weekly in St. Nick's Church Hall for 13 months. Tuesdays 3.15-5pm term time only. Having started with 17 young people attending this quickly escalated to 50+, which has now settled into a regular, consistent 40 approx. After winning an initial funding from Warm Spaces of £2700 we applied again and were awarded £3000 and have just received another £2000 which we didn't even apply for as the government gave them more money. Before this last amount was given we had applied to Allestree Neighbourhood Board, who have just awarded us £2000. This money will see us through the calendar year. This continues to be a collaboration with YWAM (Youth with a Mission) and freelance youth worker Andrew Chadwick, reliant on these to cover ratios in running the group. We have our first Yr 10 pupils completing some of their DofE (Duke of Edinburgh) award by doing some volunteer work in helping to run the group.
Running the youth group greatly benefits from the work of school pastoring and vice versa in terms of information sharing for certain young people as to their SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) requirements, any behavioural issues and safeguarding.
" Easter Experience will be running again 18th- 21st March. We have 5 schools booked in, approx. 270 children. Volunteers from both church are coming together to make this happen, which is invaluable and greatly appreciated.
" Glow Party was run by us in collaboration with Curzon PTFA in the village hall as a Halloween alternative in October. This was a huge success with 90 pupils from Curzon school attending.
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
" T-Time our All Age service at 3.30pm has now been running for 2 years. Attendance hasn't grown but still has retained a committed core group of some young families and elder persons. It is quite labour intensive in terms of preparation. Plans to simplify are now in place. Thanks to members of St. Paul's who have provided refreshments and washed up! It has been invaluable. 7 of us are attending Spring Harvest together this Easter.
" SHINE see Rebecca Hanson's report
" Informal Worship see Graham Tanner's report
" Play'n'Praise has had a great 12 months and is now full at 35 families regularly attending (approx. 80 people). It remains a lovely established group with a set pattern of sung worship and Christian story. We have special events at Christmas, Mother's Day & Easter. The success of Play'n'Praise is largely due to the committed and loving team who generously give of their time and selves to make this impactful ministry happen, more help is always welcome as we do feel it when one of the team can't make it to a session.
" Messy Church was reduced to from monthly to bi-monthly due to a number of factors such as volunteer's availability. Numbers have grown gradually. Most families who attend are or have been a Play'n'Praise family. A thanks to the great team in place and their ongoing commitment and practical support.
" Summer Community Fun Days ran again in Summer 2023 running to full days of events at the beginning and end of the summer holidays. The mornings consisted of Family Fun with lunch provided, Senior Afternoon Tea and Cinema evenings. These were, like previous years, a huge success with over 100 people attending each day. A lot of positive feedback from both team and people from the local community, we have established a very positive reputation for and from them.
" Christmas Services & Christingles both St. Paul's & St. Nick's hosted school Christmas services. St. Paul's had all Curzon Nativities and carol performances. St. Nick's had Lawn, Portway Infants had to cancel due to the high winds we had in December. St. Nick's had a Christening Christingle which despite poor weather conditions was well attended as was the Christingle at St. Paul's. Working as a team with Phil Moncur and duplicating these services for both churches worked well.
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Music Group report
The music group leads sung worship on Sunday mornings with a mix of songs spanning recent decades up to the present, and traditional songs / hymns. The regular members of the music group consist of three voices, a keyboard and two guitars. Once a month the organ leads the more traditional communion service at 3 pm and we have been indebted to Alex Daniels for providing this resource (as well as at some other services). The music group encourages new songs, and musicians / singers to join them whenever possible.
An essential part of the team are the operators of the sound desk and audio-visual system and many thanks as always go to them.
One aspect of using worship songs that is not obvious is the requirement to record licence information. Clive has developed a method to do this so many thanks to him for that.
If musicians aren't available it has been possible to use recorded music.
Paul Taylor, February 2024
Report of "Coffee and Chat"
"Coffee and Chat" continued this year on the second and the fourth Friday of each month. It has been a pleasure to welcome some new faces as well as our regulars. There is a lovely relaxed atmosphere where everyone can feel at home and the delicious cakes are enjoyed by all. The only time we cancelled was August, but now we have phone numbers we will always let people know if we have to do that again.
Mary, Bruce and Linda would like to say thank you to all those who have supported us this year.
Pastoral Care Report
Gill Hannah and I have carried-out many pastoral duties over the past few months. We have cared for the sick, elderly and infirm by visiting sick people at home, we have taken Church members to hospital, organised transport, accompanied people to their appointments, regularly had conversations with the Congregation - checking-in with them as required and made phone calls home too.
and try and encourage them to keep in touch.
We have cared for the bereaved by making phone calls and have offered follow-up bereavement visits if required. Our intention is not to be intrusive at such a difficult time but to let people know we are available.
Gill and I have met together and intend to do so on a regular basis in order to co-ordinate our role. Our intention going forward is to re-do the Pastoral Care leaflet - this is currently in-hand with Emma. Changes have been made and it is now being typed-up. We intend to buy a box of cards and send anniversary cards when people have passed away. Our main focus if to ensure that the Congregation know about our role and that we make ourselves as available as possible - through the Church Office.
Clare Stacey and Gill Hannah, February 2024
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Basis of accounting
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. Total incoming resources continue to be well below the limit of £250,000 for this simple form of accounting.
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Finance report
We have once more faced another challenging year and have again managed to balance our income and expenditure to prevent us from making a loss.
Our major sources of income come from: Donations, Hall Lettings and Gift Aid recovered whilst our largest expenses come from: Common Fund (Parish Share), Salaries, Heating/ lighting and Cleaning
Income
" Donations / Legacies and Grants. In 2023 we received £44,264 which was 2.9% higher than last year. Unfortunately however, the solicitors Geldards LLP paid us £3000 as a legacy from one of our past members before informing us several months later (and after we had spent it) that they had made a mistake and demanding the return of £2700. The year end figure includes £1200 of this which is still to be repaid. Actual receipts therefore equal last years at £43,064.
" Hall Lettings. Due to increasing heating costs in particular, we increased our letting fees by approximately 10% in May 2023. Our receipts at year end totalled £45,484 which was 24.5% higher than 2022. " Gift Aid recovered from donations = £8689 which was 12.9% up from last year.
Expenditure
" Common Fund (Parish Share). For both 2022 and 2023, the Diocese requested £43,300 from us. In 2022 we managed to pay 81.6% of that requested whilst this year we only managed to pay £33,296 which is 76.9% requested. For 2024 the Diocese have reflected our drop in Sunday attendance with their request for £34,460.
" Salaries. During 2023 we continued to employ Anna as our CFYW on 20 hours per week and with the loss of Gael as Administrator, she also kindly agreed to help us out with 10 hours admin. work per week. Since October, Emma has joined us as Administrator on 16 hours per week which will increase to 20 hours in January. Total salary cost for 2023 = £25,484. " Heating and Lighting for Church, Hall, Vestry & Church Room. Total for 2023 = £16,018 which was 142% higher than the previous year.
" Cleaning. We paid £6,901 in 2023. This represents 2 hours cleaning for 5 days a week at £12 per hour in addition to replacement of consumables. These charges have not been increased since the contract was awarded in the days of William Bates.
Our overall status at 31 December 2023 has resulted in an excess of income over expenditure of £2,169 of which £1,135 is restricted for Youth Group and £1,034 is unrestricted. Total cash funds in current and deposit accounts of £27,693.
Reserves policy
We continue to aim to hold a minimum of £15,000 in our general fund in order to undertake or commence any necessary major repairs. The investment policy for these church reserves is held in the CBF Church of England deposit fund and at year end stood at £14,720.
The PCC aims to keep a minimum of £5,000 in the RBS current account in order to meet its regular outgoings. As of 31 December 2023, we held £12,923 in our current account giving us a total of £27,693 held in balances at the bank,
The PCC has adhered to all Government policies during the year and despite some significant challenges has managed to achieve a small surplus by reducing its parish share which has enabled the charity to continue as a going concern.
Mike Hannah, Treasurer.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The PCC of the church is a body corporate, with the church set up within the Diocese of Derby under the statutes relating to the Church of England.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
Organisational structure
The Church operates a number of groups which are empowered to undertake day-to-day operational decisions, referring back to the PCC for strategic direction and for approval of significant expenditure.
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Annual safeguarding report
As stated last year, it is now a requirement for PCC members, church wardens and youth/children's workers to complete training on each of three courses - Basic, Foundation and Domestic Abuse - plus a Leadership training course for church wardens, PSO's and the Youth/children's worker. This has been ongoing for the last few months and is now near completion.
The church Dashboard also requires all Safeguarding materials and information to be prominently displayed in the church and this has now been updated and done. Safeguarding information is als on the church website.
The Dashboard has been informed about all church-led activities and their safeguarding procedures and we are now in the process of ensuring that any hall users involving children/vulnerable adults - that are not church related- have submitted their own safeguarding guidelines.
Only two incidents have been raised this year and both have been dealt with appropriately.
As DBS checks have to be reviewed every three years, this means that most people requiring them will need to review next year.
Safeguarding reports are on the agenda of every PCC meeting so that church council members are regularly kept up to date.
Miriam Chappell PSO
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number 1129440
Principal address
Parochial Church Council 2 Lawn Avenue Allestree Derby DE22 2PE
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Trustees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Reverend Sarah | ||
| Incumbent | Watson | |
| Curate | Vacant | |
| Chuchwarden | Mr Paul Taylor | |
| Deputy Churchwarden | Mr Graham Tanner | |
| Representatives on the Deanery Synod | Mrs Miriam Chappell | Safeguarding |
| Elected members | Mrs Linda Carter | |
| Mr Bruce Innis | Licenced Reader | |
| Mr Mike Hannah | Treasurer | |
| Mrs Gill Hannah | Electoral Roll | |
| Mr Clive Jarrett | Fund Raiser | |
| Mr Andrew Plant | ||
| Mr Richard Stecey | ||
| Mrs Claire Stacey | ||
| Mrs Barbara Flounders | ||
| Ex-officio members | Mr Phil Moncur | Licenced Reader |
| Mrs Sara Tupling | Licenced Reader | |
| Observers | Mrs Anna Oldknow | Children's, Families' and Youth worker |
| Independent Examiner | ||
| Johnson Tidsall Limited | ||
| Chartered Accountants | ||
| 81 Burton Road | ||
| Derby | ||
| Derbyshire | ||
| DE1 1TJ | ||
| Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. | and signed on its behalf by: |
.......................................................................... Mr P Taylor - Trustee
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of St Nicholas Church Allestree Parochial Church Council
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of St Nicholas Church Allestree Parochial Church Council (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
Johnson Tidsall Limited Chartered Accountants 81 Burton Road Derby Derbyshire DE1 1TJ
Date: .............................................
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| ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE 1 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL |
ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE 1 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL |
ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE 1 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL |
129440 | CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the period from |
1-Jan-23 | To | 31-Dec-23 | ||
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||
| A1 Receipts Donations,legacies andgrants 44,264 Church hall lettings 45,484 Upkeepof services 1,331 Books Other fundraisingactivities Investment income 458 91,537 - - Sub total - Total receipts 91,537 A3 Payments Raisingfunds Church halll lettings 11,808 Upkeepof services 1,358 Grantsgiven 2,462 Ministrycosts 33,784 Church runningexpenses 9,088 Churchyard upkeep 219 Books - Church: major works 477 Church hall: major works Salaries 16,578 Support costs 804 Church administration costs 2,779 Independent examination 654 Sub total 80,011 - - Sub total - Total payments 80,011 Net of receipts/(payments) 11,526 A5 Transfers between funds - 10,492 A6 Cash funds last year end 25,524 Cash funds this year end 26,558 Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ Sub total(Gross income for AR) A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
to the nearest £ 9,954 9,954 - - - 9,954 525 15,807 2,979 19,311 - - - 19,311 - 9,357 10,492 1,135 Restricted funds |
to the nearest £ Endowment funds |
Total funds to the nearest £ 54,218 45,484 1,331 - - 458 - - 101,491 - - - 101,491 - 11,808 1,358 2,987 33,784 9,088 219 - 477 - 32,385 3,783 2,779 654 99,322 - - - 99,322 2,169 - 25,524 27,693 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|
| - | 54,218 | 49,454 | |||
| 45,484 | 36,540 | ||||
| 1,331 | 617 | ||||
| - | - | ||||
| - | 42 | ||||
| 458 | 187 | ||||
| - | - | ||||
| - | - | ||||
| 101,491 | 86,840 | ||||
| - - - |
- | - | |||
| - | - | ||||
| - | - | ||||
| - | 101,491 | 86,840 | |||
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
- | 48 | |||
| 11,808 | 5,620 | ||||
| 1,358 | 1,227 | ||||
| 2,987 | 2,420 | ||||
| 33,784 | 35,317 | ||||
| 9,088 | 5,055 | ||||
| 219 | 122 | ||||
| - | - | ||||
| 477 | - | ||||
| - | 979 | ||||
| 32,385 | 30,656 | ||||
| 3,783 | 774 | ||||
| 2,779 | 1,909 | ||||
| 654 | 624 | ||||
| 99,322 | 84,751 | ||||
| - - - |
- | - | |||
| - | - | ||||
| - | - | ||||
| - | 99,322 | 84,751 | |||
| - 9,357 | - - - - |
2,169 | 2,089 | ||
| 10,492 | - | - | |||
| 25,524 | 23,435 | ||||
| 1,135 | 27,693 | 25,524 |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Details Bank Current Account CBF Church of England Account Cash in hand Details Hall fees outstanding Details Details Details Geldards LLP Independent examination fee Signature Total cash funds |
to nearest £ to nearest £ 11,838 1,135 14,720 - - - 26,558 1,135 to nearest £ to nearest £ 5,576 - - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - General 1,200 General 654 Print Name Mr Paul Taylor Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) |
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REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1129440
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
FOR
ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
Johnson Tidsall Limited Chartered Accountants 81 Burton Road Derby Derbyshire DE1 1TJ
ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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Page
Vicar's Report 1
Report of the Trustees 2 to 10
Independent Examiner's Report 11
Receipts and Payments Account CC 16A
Statement of Assets and Liabilities CC 16B
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
VICAR'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The report covers the period before the new clergy were fully installed in February 2024. As a result it is not written by the Vicar and is briefer than normal.
We were very blessed by having a ministry team, shared between St Nick's and St Paul's, that consisted of a retired Vicar, the Children, Youth & Family Worker (CYFW), three Readers (with varied availability), plus other ordained ministers in particular Carol Price and Lee Martin. Collectively, the team brought a good range of experience from other churches.
Dawn Knight, our Curate, held her last service at St Nick's and St Paul's on 23 April to take up the post of Priest-in-Charge of Cotmanhay and Shipley.
There has been a monthly cycle on Sunday mornings: Informal Worship; Together at the Table (informal Holy Communion); Morning Praise; Bible Study; joint service with St Paul's (5th Sunday). On the 4th Sunday there is also Traditional Holy Communion at 3 pm.
An important part of the church's ministry is links with local schools. The CYFW plays a key role in this and the Curate / Vicar may also be involved. Special Christmas services for schools are held.
Under the leadership of the CYFW, strong community links have been forged with young families through the well-attended weekly Play 'n Praise sessions.
Other initiatives have included distributing Christmas cards to the nearby new housing estate on Kedleston Road.
A role of paid Administrator serving St Nicholas and St Paul's has been in place for some years. During 2023 the role was covered by the CYFW working additional hours. With the forthcoming appointment of new clergy, as well as transferring tasks back from church members to the Administrator, it was anticipated that more resource would be needed and the post was advertised. Four candidates were interviewed and Emma Patterson was appointed, starting in October.
Paul Taylor, Warden, February 2024
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
St Nicholas Church is situated in Allestree Lane, Allestree, Derby. It is part of the Diocese of Derby within the Church of England. The church is a registered charity 'The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Nicholas Church, Allestree, Derby', Registration Number 1129440. The registered and correspondence address is 2 Lawn Avenue, Allestree, Derby, DE22 2PE; contact details are telephone 01332-550431; e-mail stnicksallestree@outlook.com.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the clergy in promoting the whole mission of the Church in the parish - pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC also has maintenance responsibilities for St Nick's buildings and grounds.
The mission of St Nicholas, Allestree is: to know and worship God, and make God's love more widely known.
The PCC has complied with the duty imposed upon it by Section 17 of the Charities Acts 2011 to have regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission in respect of public benefit and has set out in its charity registration how it can achieve that benefit.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Electoral role report
Since the 2023 APCM, there have been 3 members who died, 2 who have moved permanently into residential care and 1 who no longer worships at St. Nick's and requested to be omitted. New total up to April 2024 = 52.
Since 2019, numbers have steadily decreased as below: 2019 - 77 2020 - 71 2021 - 71 2022 - 64 2023 - 58 2024 - 52
Gill Hannah
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
PCC report
The PCC has met 4 times since the last APCM (4th May 2023), with an average attendance of 12.
At every PCC meeting the following items have been discussed or reported on:-
Church Vision, Services, CYFW report, Financial report, Safeguarding update, Buildings sub-committee, GDPR, Deanery synod.
The highlights of the meetings were :-
July 13th:
" A £3000 grant to help with the local community youth club was reported (the group had started at the beginning of the year )
" As part of the church vision an Alpha course was planned for early 2024.
" The Parish profile was completed and agreed for the clergy adverts
Sept 21st:
" The new administrator Emma Patterson had been appointed .
" A draft agreement for the new Scouts Lease had been issued and discussions were ongoing.
" An electronic rolling screen had been installed in the lobby
November 16th:
" Sarah Watson and Rachael Brooks had been appointed as the incumbents for the parish group.
" The safeguarding training status was reviewed and actions put in place to complete
" Annas CFYW contract was extended to end of March 24
January 25th:
" Sarah Watson was welcomed to her first St Nicks PCC
" Roof damage from a high wind storm had been repaired
" Finances for 2023 were discussed and the hall fees were increased to cover the large energy bills
Deanery Synod report 2023
Synod meetings have been reduced from four to three meetings a year. The first meeting was a communion service welcoming new members to the Synod and outlining its aims.
The main focus of the Deanery Synod is centred on growing faith and youth growth.
Churches are encouraged to build up communities by setting up community groups, cafes and activities…and promoting them on social media and in the local press.
The Synod continues to work towards developing links between the church, the neighbourhood and schools. Connecting with schools plays an important part of growing faith within youth groups. Our youth leader, Anna, is doing a wonderful job working with families and schools, as well as running a successful youth group.
The last Deanery Synod meeting was held online due to bad weather. This meeting was based on the election of new Synod reps.
Elaine Dunstan has now joined me as a Synod member for St Nicks
Miriam Chappell
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Church Warden's report Maintenance
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The Community Payback scheme that had been used previously was unable to continue this year but we were grateful for what had been achieved under Mike's management.
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The monthly 'Men's Maintenance' half-day meetings of four people continued. These deal with issues of equipment, buildings and grounds maintenance that can be dealt with by those involved, as well as discussing bigger issues needing professional input.
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The Sew Much Fun team had continued to upgrade facilities, with the vestry blinds being completed and new frontals for music stands being made.
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In the Hall, damage caused by ingress of moisture into walls in the women's toilets and the Hall itself had been previously identified. Clive has re-plastered affected areas of wall in the men's toilet and work elsewhere is planned.
Minor repair / maintenance jobs completed included
" Using a roofer to repair a leak near the bell tower, and replacing ridge tiles in two places after severe gales.
" Replacing door restraints in the church entrance and vestry.
" In the Hall using the maintenance contractor to repair two of the gas heaters, fitting curtain tie-back hooks, modifying external Lobby doors to prevent them catching when necessary, replacing external Lobby door restraint hooks. " PAT testing was carried out in October.
" Our new Administrator Emma made a significant improvement to the tidiness of the Hall lobby and noticeboards.
Vegetation
The two-weekly grass mowing programme continued and appeared to be sufficient, with the memorial garden being included as necessary.
Clare and Richard arranged for the hedge along Allestree Lane to be trimmed again by a local farmer, saving us a significant cost / amount of effort. Huge thanks again to John C for carrying out trips to the tip.
Cleaning
Regular internal cleaning by the contract cleaners Wellshine continued. The Church itself has been cleaned by members with ad-hoc tasks as necessary.
Scout Hall Lease
The renewal process has continued (after the suddden death of our previous solicitor John Waldron) with a change of solicitor who has proved to be very helpful. The length of the document and the particular legal language has contributed to delays in assessing this by both the ourselves and the Scouts but hopefully the process will be completed soon.
Advertising for a new Vicar
The situation regarding appointing a new Vicar was clarified by the Archdeacon during the year when it was announced that two clergy would be sought to be responsible for the four parishes of St Nicholas, St Paul's, St Edmund's and St Matthew's. Having agreed a Parish Profile with St Paul's this formed the basis for one covering all four churches. The advertising process was started and two applications received. A day of interviews involving the Archdeacon and reps from all four churches was held in September with the outcome that both were offered and accepted the positions. Sarah Watson to move into the vicarage at St Nicholas with focus on St Nicholas and St Paul's, Rachael Brooks to move into the St Matthew's Vicarage when vacant with focus on St Matthew's and St Edmond's. The licensing procedures took place in January and February 2024.
Paul Taylor and Graham Tanner, February 2024
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
CYFW (Children's, Youth and Families Worker) report
The last 12 months have been ones of sustaining and maintaining the established youth, children and family ministries in the interregnum especially with Rev Dawn leaving in April 2023.
Schools Work
Our relationship with the local schools has continued well, particularly with Woodlands secondary and Curzon primary. Our relationship with Portway Juniors school has sadly dwindled. Portway Infants continues to come to St. Nick's for Easter Experience and their Christmas school service as do Lawn School.
" School Assemblies/Collective Worship
Curzon School - we have retained weekly leading on Monday mornings Collective Worship. Phil Moncur very kindly stepped in to help cover these, alternating with me, after Dawn left. We follow the school's themes for the term, the church calendar and attempt to cover "gaps" in the pupils Christian knowledge. Feedback remains positive and encouraging from both pupils and staff.
Portyway Juniors - Involvement with organising and delivering Tuesday assemblies came to a stop in September 2023 as the assembly time they invite us in is on Tuesdays when Play'n'Praise is on. So this was handed over to Will Harvey at Woodlands Church.
Walter Evans - Dawn took the odd collective worship there and I have been invited to do so in the future should availability allow.
" All Sorts (Curzon lunchtime club) Moved from a Tuesday to a Wednesday due to Play'n'Praise and Youth Group also being on a Tuesday. Having developed a "drop in" style session for the full lunch hour with both Key Stage 1& 2 children dropping in and out as their lunch eating times allow, we have continued. In the warmer months this is held outside and in the colder, wetter ones it moves into Yr3 classroom. Usually this runs for both Key Stage 1 & 2 but as this is a wide age range to engage with and due to numbers when we are inside it's occasionally just for KS2. The Bible story from Monday's collective worship is recapped and a thematic craft and/or game provided. Numbers vary from 4 to 20 depending on the weather, capacity in the classroom and appropriateness of the craft i.e. felt tip pens and reception are not a good mix! Jenni Capel's ongoing commitment to helping run this group is invaluable and highly appreciated.
" Woodlands chaplaincy/pastoring has been consistently strong for the last 12 months, meeting fortnightly with students for 1-2-1s on Wednesday mornings. At the end of March Broadway Baptist Church's youth and children's worker left and as yet they have not yet appointed a new one. As a result the 'Wellbeing Space' has ceased to run at break/lunch times. A strong positive this last year as been the interplay between the school pastoring and youth group as the young people all attend Woodlands School.
" Allestree Youth Collective (AYC) Youth Group has now been running weekly in St. Nick's Church Hall for 13 months. Tuesdays 3.15-5pm term time only. Having started with 17 young people attending this quickly escalated to 50+, which has now settled into a regular, consistent 40 approx. After winning an initial funding from Warm Spaces of £2700 we applied again and were awarded £3000 and have just received another £2000 which we didn't even apply for as the government gave them more money. Before this last amount was given we had applied to Allestree Neighbourhood Board, who have just awarded us £2000. This money will see us through the calendar year. This continues to be a collaboration with YWAM (Youth with a Mission) and freelance youth worker Andrew Chadwick, reliant on these to cover ratios in running the group. We have our first Yr 10 pupils completing some of their DofE (Duke of Edinburgh) award by doing some volunteer work in helping to run the group.
Running the youth group greatly benefits from the work of school pastoring and vice versa in terms of information sharing for certain young people as to their SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) requirements, any behavioural issues and safeguarding.
" Easter Experience will be running again 18th- 21st March. We have 5 schools booked in, approx. 270 children. Volunteers from both church are coming together to make this happen, which is invaluable and greatly appreciated.
" Glow Party was run by us in collaboration with Curzon PTFA in the village hall as a Halloween alternative in October. This was a huge success with 90 pupils from Curzon school attending.
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
" T-Time our All Age service at 3.30pm has now been running for 2 years. Attendance hasn't grown but still has retained a committed core group of some young families and elder persons. It is quite labour intensive in terms of preparation. Plans to simplify are now in place. Thanks to members of St. Paul's who have provided refreshments and washed up! It has been invaluable. 7 of us are attending Spring Harvest together this Easter.
" SHINE see Rebecca Hanson's report
" Informal Worship see Graham Tanner's report
" Play'n'Praise has had a great 12 months and is now full at 35 families regularly attending (approx. 80 people). It remains a lovely established group with a set pattern of sung worship and Christian story. We have special events at Christmas, Mother's Day & Easter. The success of Play'n'Praise is largely due to the committed and loving team who generously give of their time and selves to make this impactful ministry happen, more help is always welcome as we do feel it when one of the team can't make it to a session.
" Messy Church was reduced to from monthly to bi-monthly due to a number of factors such as volunteer's availability. Numbers have grown gradually. Most families who attend are or have been a Play'n'Praise family. A thanks to the great team in place and their ongoing commitment and practical support.
" Summer Community Fun Days ran again in Summer 2023 running to full days of events at the beginning and end of the summer holidays. The mornings consisted of Family Fun with lunch provided, Senior Afternoon Tea and Cinema evenings. These were, like previous years, a huge success with over 100 people attending each day. A lot of positive feedback from both team and people from the local community, we have established a very positive reputation for and from them.
" Christmas Services & Christingles both St. Paul's & St. Nick's hosted school Christmas services. St. Paul's had all Curzon Nativities and carol performances. St. Nick's had Lawn, Portway Infants had to cancel due to the high winds we had in December. St. Nick's had a Christening Christingle which despite poor weather conditions was well attended as was the Christingle at St. Paul's. Working as a team with Phil Moncur and duplicating these services for both churches worked well.
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Music Group report
The music group leads sung worship on Sunday mornings with a mix of songs spanning recent decades up to the present, and traditional songs / hymns. The regular members of the music group consist of three voices, a keyboard and two guitars. Once a month the organ leads the more traditional communion service at 3 pm and we have been indebted to Alex Daniels for providing this resource (as well as at some other services). The music group encourages new songs, and musicians / singers to join them whenever possible.
An essential part of the team are the operators of the sound desk and audio-visual system and many thanks as always go to them.
One aspect of using worship songs that is not obvious is the requirement to record licence information. Clive has developed a method to do this so many thanks to him for that.
If musicians aren't available it has been possible to use recorded music.
Paul Taylor, February 2024
Report of "Coffee and Chat"
"Coffee and Chat" continued this year on the second and the fourth Friday of each month. It has been a pleasure to welcome some new faces as well as our regulars. There is a lovely relaxed atmosphere where everyone can feel at home and the delicious cakes are enjoyed by all. The only time we cancelled was August, but now we have phone numbers we will always let people know if we have to do that again.
Mary, Bruce and Linda would like to say thank you to all those who have supported us this year.
Pastoral Care Report
Gill Hannah and I have carried-out many pastoral duties over the past few months. We have cared for the sick, elderly and infirm by visiting sick people at home, we have taken Church members to hospital, organised transport, accompanied people to their appointments, regularly had conversations with the Congregation - checking-in with them as required and made phone calls home too.
and try and encourage them to keep in touch.
We have cared for the bereaved by making phone calls and have offered follow-up bereavement visits if required. Our intention is not to be intrusive at such a difficult time but to let people know we are available.
Gill and I have met together and intend to do so on a regular basis in order to co-ordinate our role. Our intention going forward is to re-do the Pastoral Care leaflet - this is currently in-hand with Emma. Changes have been made and it is now being typed-up. We intend to buy a box of cards and send anniversary cards when people have passed away. Our main focus if to ensure that the Congregation know about our role and that we make ourselves as available as possible - through the Church Office.
Clare Stacey and Gill Hannah, February 2024
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Basis of accounting
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. Total incoming resources continue to be well below the limit of £250,000 for this simple form of accounting.
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Finance report
We have once more faced another challenging year and have again managed to balance our income and expenditure to prevent us from making a loss.
Our major sources of income come from: Donations, Hall Lettings and Gift Aid recovered whilst our largest expenses come from: Common Fund (Parish Share), Salaries, Heating/ lighting and Cleaning
Income
" Donations / Legacies and Grants. In 2023 we received £44,264 which was 2.9% higher than last year. Unfortunately however, the solicitors Geldards LLP paid us £3000 as a legacy from one of our past members before informing us several months later (and after we had spent it) that they had made a mistake and demanding the return of £2700. The year end figure includes £1200 of this which is still to be repaid. Actual receipts therefore equal last years at £43,064.
" Hall Lettings. Due to increasing heating costs in particular, we increased our letting fees by approximately 10% in May 2023. Our receipts at year end totalled £45,484 which was 24.5% higher than 2022. " Gift Aid recovered from donations = £8689 which was 12.9% up from last year.
Expenditure
" Common Fund (Parish Share). For both 2022 and 2023, the Diocese requested £43,300 from us. In 2022 we managed to pay 81.6% of that requested whilst this year we only managed to pay £33,296 which is 76.9% requested. For 2024 the Diocese have reflected our drop in Sunday attendance with their request for £34,460.
" Salaries. During 2023 we continued to employ Anna as our CFYW on 20 hours per week and with the loss of Gael as Administrator, she also kindly agreed to help us out with 10 hours admin. work per week. Since October, Emma has joined us as Administrator on 16 hours per week which will increase to 20 hours in January. Total salary cost for 2023 = £25,484. " Heating and Lighting for Church, Hall, Vestry & Church Room. Total for 2023 = £16,018 which was 142% higher than the previous year.
" Cleaning. We paid £6,901 in 2023. This represents 2 hours cleaning for 5 days a week at £12 per hour in addition to replacement of consumables. These charges have not been increased since the contract was awarded in the days of William Bates.
Our overall status at 31 December 2023 has resulted in an excess of income over expenditure of £2,169 of which £1,135 is restricted for Youth Group and £1,034 is unrestricted. Total cash funds in current and deposit accounts of £27,693.
Reserves policy
We continue to aim to hold a minimum of £15,000 in our general fund in order to undertake or commence any necessary major repairs. The investment policy for these church reserves is held in the CBF Church of England deposit fund and at year end stood at £14,720.
The PCC aims to keep a minimum of £5,000 in the RBS current account in order to meet its regular outgoings. As of 31 December 2023, we held £12,923 in our current account giving us a total of £27,693 held in balances at the bank,
The PCC has adhered to all Government policies during the year and despite some significant challenges has managed to achieve a small surplus by reducing its parish share which has enabled the charity to continue as a going concern.
Mike Hannah, Treasurer.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The PCC of the church is a body corporate, with the church set up within the Diocese of Derby under the statutes relating to the Church of England.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
Organisational structure
The Church operates a number of groups which are empowered to undertake day-to-day operational decisions, referring back to the PCC for strategic direction and for approval of significant expenditure.
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Annual safeguarding report
As stated last year, it is now a requirement for PCC members, church wardens and youth/children's workers to complete training on each of three courses - Basic, Foundation and Domestic Abuse - plus a Leadership training course for church wardens, PSO's and the Youth/children's worker. This has been ongoing for the last few months and is now near completion.
The church Dashboard also requires all Safeguarding materials and information to be prominently displayed in the church and this has now been updated and done. Safeguarding information is als on the church website.
The Dashboard has been informed about all church-led activities and their safeguarding procedures and we are now in the process of ensuring that any hall users involving children/vulnerable adults - that are not church related- have submitted their own safeguarding guidelines.
Only two incidents have been raised this year and both have been dealt with appropriately.
As DBS checks have to be reviewed every three years, this means that most people requiring them will need to review next year.
Safeguarding reports are on the agenda of every PCC meeting so that church council members are regularly kept up to date.
Miriam Chappell PSO
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number 1129440
Principal address
Parochial Church Council 2 Lawn Avenue Allestree Derby DE22 2PE
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ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Trustees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Reverend Sarah | ||
| Incumbent | Watson | |
| Curate | Vacant | |
| Chuchwarden | Mr Paul Taylor | |
| Deputy Churchwarden | Mr Graham Tanner | |
| Representatives on the Deanery Synod | Mrs Miriam Chappell | Safeguarding |
| Elected members | Mrs Linda Carter | |
| Mr Bruce Innis | Licenced Reader | |
| Mr Mike Hannah | Treasurer | |
| Mrs Gill Hannah | Electoral Roll | |
| Mr Clive Jarrett | Fund Raiser | |
| Mr Andrew Plant | ||
| Mr Richard Stecey | ||
| Mrs Claire Stacey | ||
| Mrs Barbara Flounders | ||
| Ex-officio members | Mr Phil Moncur | Licenced Reader |
| Mrs Sara Tupling | Licenced Reader | |
| Observers | Mrs Anna Oldknow | Children's, Families' and Youth worker |
| Independent Examiner | ||
| Johnson Tidsall Limited | ||
| Chartered Accountants | ||
| 81 Burton Road | ||
| Derby | ||
| Derbyshire | ||
| DE1 1TJ | ||
| Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. | and signed on its behalf by: |
.......................................................................... Mr P Taylor - Trustee
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ST NICHOLAS CHURCH ALLESTREE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of St Nicholas Church Allestree Parochial Church Council
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of St Nicholas Church Allestree Parochial Church Council (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
Johnson Tidsall Limited Chartered Accountants 81 Burton Road Derby Derbyshire DE1 1TJ
Date: .............................................
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