2024-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St Andrew, Caversham

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST ANDREWS CAVERSHAM CHARITY NO 1130027

St Andrew’s Church, Caversham. Registered Charity 1130027

Trustees Annual Report re 2024

Aim and Purpose

St Andrew’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, Reverend Nigel Jones, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. This includes the maintenance of the Church Hall, Albert Road, Caversham.

The vision of St Andrew’s is to be:

a Christian people growing in a faith that is honest and life-changing
a centre for community at the heart of Caversham Heights
a blessing and support to our neighbours locally and in the wider world

This Vision Statement, adopted by the PCC, recognises that the purpose of the church is to serve the whole community, not just those who confess a Christian faith.

Objectives and Activities

When planning our activities for the year, the incumbent and PCC have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.

In particular we seek to help local people to live fulfilling, meaningful, healthy and happy lives. We do this

by providing Christian worship and prayer, in a variety of styles
by helping people to learn about, and grow in, the Christian faith, which includes the imperative to be a blessing to others, e.g. by volunteering with our projects, or by supporting our charity of the year
through the provision of pastoral care in the parish, including at special times of life, including christenings, weddings and funerals
by seeking to strengthen the local community, through hiring our church hall (community groups get a 50% discount) and through activities such as our church café, church concerts and toddler group, and regular community events

To facilitate this it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church and the adjacent Church Hall.

Worship and Prayer

The PCC are keen to offer a range of services during the week and over the course of the year that our community find both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling. We hold a daily time of silent meditation/prayer, open to all.

The main religious festivals of Christmas and Easter are marked with services of different characteristics to appeal to those seeking reflection, solemn prayer, joyous worship and tradition. In this way the PCC aims to make St Andrew’s accessible to a wide range of people.

Church Services and events are advertised throughout the parish by way of the St Andrew’s website, Facebook page, posters outside the church and hall, and prayer cards delivered in rotation to each road in the parish on one week in the year.

Deanery Synod

Two members of the PCC sit on the deanery synod. The number of representatives is related to the number of people on the electoral roll. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structure of the church.

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST ANDREWS CAVERSHAM CHARITY NO 1130027

Community Outreach

The continued use of Church buildings to host the high quality “Concerts in Caversham” attract visitors from a wide geographical area. Other musical events have also been hosted.

The Church building is left open during the day to provide local people with the opportunity for informal prayer or a quiet space at times when they find it convenient.

Tiddlers, our toddler group, is very popular and it is appreciated that the church provides the facility. Most of those that attend are not committed Christians. There are healthy snacks for the children.

The Fisherman Cafe in the Church Hall opens every Thursday and customers are a mix of church and nonchurchgoers.

Church Fabric

The Church is in a good state of repair, minor repairs and maintenance are undertaken as required. The crack in the Chancel arch continues to be monitored and no action is required at present. The church lightning conductor was tested and was found to be in good order.

The Garden of Remembrance continues to be well cared for. The condition of the cedar tree continues to be monitored to ensure public safety.

Church Hall Fabric

Repairs and maintenance are undertaken as required to maintain the fabric of the building and ensure compliance with health and safety legislation. The solar panels on the hall roof continue to generate electricity, which contributes to our overall hall income.

The church hall has been in use every morning and evening, and most afternoons. In addition to its occasional use as a polling station, the hall is regularly used by uniformed organizations, music groups, acting classes, dance-groups, a preschool, yoga group, an aerobics class and blood donors, as well as birthday parties.

Mission and Evangelism

Helping those in need is a demonstration of our faith. During the year St Andrew’s has supported local and overseas charities. The Church supports one named local charity each year, for the year under review it was Daisy’s Dream which supports children and young people facing bereavement. In addition, church members continued to support Grow Hope in Zimbabwe, training young people in the second poorest country in the world as farmers and Christian leaders helping them take responsibility for their lives and their communities. Towards the end of the year we began to consider changing which project in the developing world we support. There were no door-to-door collections during Christian Aid week this year, although envelopes were delivered, encouraging people to support the churches’ aid agency.

St Andrew’s provides a collecting point in the Church Porch for Readifood, the Reading food bank, and donations are given generously by both members of the congregation and non church goers in the parish.

The St Andrew’s branch of the Mothers’ Union continues to support parents of children admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital by providing toiletry bags filled with essentials for an unexpected overnight stay.

Ecumenical Relations

The Church is a member of Churches together in Caversham (CTC). CTC co-ordinates a project called RE-Inspired which takes church members into local schools to help deliver the Christian element of the RE curriculum. Approximately 1000 children benefit each year. CTC also runs a summer holiday club for 100-150 children.

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST ANDREWS CAVERSHAM CHARITY NO 1130027

Financial Review

Total Income in the year was £135,459 (previous year £146,525). Total Expenditure (including large one-off items) was £126,167 (£125,949). Income comes from donations and legacies, trading activities which include activities such as the hire of the hall, investments and other income that does not fit into the previous headings. Investment income includes dividends and interest on the deposit account, which is higher reflecting the increased cash balance. Other income is the refund received from the diocese for paying the parish share in full and on time.

The Balance Sheet shows the church has total net assets of £270,312 (£260,512) made up of fixed assets, funds in the current and deposit accounts and investments. The figure of £270,312 is allocated to a variety of funds some of which are restricted.

Reserves Policy

It is PCC policy to maintain a balance on the unrestricted funds (if possible) which equates to at least three months unrestricted payments, equivalent to £100,000, to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time (including roof repair at £50,000).

It is our practice to invest excess funds with the CCIF Church Commissioners Investment fund.

Volunteers

We would like to thank all the volunteers who work so hard to make our church the warm and welcoming community it is. In particular the churchwardens Virginia Cullura and Shelley Montague and all members of the PCC for their valuable contribution to our ministry and for keeping the church running. Thanks are due to Andy Allen who has acted as treasurer.

Structure, Governance and Management

At the 2024 APCM (annual meeting) there were 73 names on the Electoral Roll (membership list).

The method of appointment of the PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St Andrew’s the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent (our vicar), churchwardens, and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. All those who attend our services/members of the congregation are encouraged to 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.

The full PCC met 6 times during the year. A standing committee meets between PCC meetings. There is also a social committee for planning and coordinating events for the church and wider community.

There is a Safeguarding Officer and a Health & Safety Officer who ensure that the church is compliant with best practice, following diocesan guidelines, and who report to the PCC at each meeting.

Administrative Information

St Andrew’s Church is situated in Harrogate Road, Caversham. It is part of the deanery of Reading in the Diocese of Oxford. The correspondence address is St Andrew’s House, Harrogate Road, Caversham, Reading RG4 7PW.

The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers measure 1956, Church Representation rules 2006) and a charity registered with the Charities Commission, registration number 1130027.

PCC members who served during 2024 are:

Ex Officio Members Incumbent The Rev'd Nigel Jones Chairman

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST ANDREWS CAVERSHAM CHARITY NO 1130027

Churchwardens Churchwardens Virginia Cullura Shelley Montague Virginia Cullura Shelley Montague Deanery Synod Representatives Lynda Hanks Deanery Synod Representatives Jane Pares (from 28 April 2024) Lynda Hanks Jane Pares (from 28 April 2024) Elected members Andy Allen (Treasurer) Elected members Gordon Ball Andy Allen (Treasurer) Katrina Collett Gordon Ball David Marsh (until 20 March 2024) Katrina Collett Lynda Hanks David Marsh (until 20 March 2024) Regula Adams Lynda Hanks Nick Jones Regula Adams Anne Noble (from 28 April 2024) Nick Jones Anne Noble (from 28 April 2024)

Approved by the PCC on 27 July 2025 and signed on their behalf by Revd Nigel Jones (PCC Chairman): Approved by the PCC on 27 July 2025 and signed on their behalf by Revd Nigel Jones (PCC Chairman):

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST ANDREWS CAVERSHAM CHARITY NO 1130027

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST ANDREWS CAVERSHAM CHARITY NO 1130027

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared under the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the current Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP FRS 102).

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for 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 accounts of church groups that owe their affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

A materiality level of £100 has been used for accruals and prepayments.

Fund accounting

Restricted funds comprise (a) income from endowments which is to be expended only on the restricted purposes intended by the donor and (b) revenue donations or grants for a specific PCC activity intended by the donor.

Unrestricted funds are income funds which are to be spent on the PCC's general purposes.

Designated funds are general funds set aside by the PCC for use in the future. Project funds are designated for particular projects for administration purposes only. Designated funds remain unrestricted and the PCC will move any surplus to other general funds e.g. Messy Church.

Incoming resources

Planned Giving, collections and similar donations are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming resource to which they relate is received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is entitled to the use of the resources, their ultimate receipt is considered reasonably certain and the amounts due are reliably quantifiable. Dividends are accounted for when declared receivable, interest as and when accrued by the payer. All incoming resources are accounted for gross.

Resources expended

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan parish share expected to be paid over is accounted for when due.

All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross.

Fixed assets

Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts in accordance with s.10 (2) (a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011.

Movable church furnishings held by the vicar and churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property, listed in the church's inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time).

St Andrew’s Church owns a hall built in the 1960s. This is fully depreciated and not shown as a separate tangible asset.

Equipment used within the church or hall premises is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the useful life. Items of equipment with a purchase price of £2,000 or less are written off when the asset is acquired.

Investments are valued at market value at 31 December 2024.

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST ANDREWS CAVERSHAM CHARITY NO 1130027

7. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS 7. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS Approved by the trustees on 27[th] July 2025 Approved by the trustees on 27%h July 2025

Signed by two trustees on behalf of all trustees Signed by two trustees on behalf of all trustees

Signature Name Date