## **PARISH OF ST MARY’S CHURCH, RUSHDEN** ## **Charity Number 1130072** # _**ANNUAL REPORT AND**_ ## _**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_ # _**OF THE**_ ## _**PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**_ ## _**OF ST MARY**_ ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021**_ ## **Rector:** The Reverend Stephen Prior (Retired 07.11.2021) ## **Bankers:** TSB, High Street, Rushden ## **Independent Examiner:** Mr Keith Titmuss 191 Monarch Road Eaton Socon St Neots PE19 8JP Our web site: www.stmaryschurchrushden.org ## **PARISH OF ST MARY, RUSHDEN ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PCC** ## **FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021** ## **Aim and Purpose** Rushden PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. As well as the church itself, which is a Grade 1 Listed Building, the PCC is also responsible for maintaining the Church Halls. ## **Administrative Information** The Church is situated in the High Street, Rushden NN10 0QE and is part of the Deanery of Higham Ferrers, in the Diocese of Peterborough. Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. Members of the congregation are encouraged to join the Electoral Roll and to stand for election to the PCC PCC members who have served from the 1[st] January 2021 until the date this report was approved were: Incumbent: Rev S Prior (Chairman) (Until November 2021) Curate: Rev P Nightingale (Until September 2021) Wardens: Mr P Adams, (Chairman after November 2021) Mrs K Woodfield Elected Members: Mrs L Prior Mrs L Rowland (Until May 2021) Mr G Bass Mr C Rowland (Until May 2021) Mrs M Bates Mrs H Smedley Mr P Brooksby Mr M Compton Mr J Woodfield Mr R Toosey Mrs J Bass Mrs L Skinner Mr M Cromwell Mrs J Smith (Until May 2021) Mrs P Williams (From May 2021) Mrs L Coleman (From May 2021) Readers: Mr A Smith Mr M Bantin Deanery Synod: Mrs B Dixon Mrs D Smith (Until May 2021) Mrs S Prior (Until November 2021) Mrs C Wignall (From November 2021) Mr James Mellor (From May 2021) Treasurer: Mr R Bates Secretary Mrs J Bone 1. The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance in the Parish and for all financial matters. The PCC itself operates through a number of Committees, which meet between full meetings of the PCC as and when appropriate. The Committees include Worship, Mission, Fabric and Finance. Each Committee reports back to the full PCC. St. Mary’s PCC only met 8 times in the year partly due to the Covid 19 restrictions with an average attendance of 81% ## **CHURCH ATTENDANCE** There are 192 parishioners on the electoral roll of St Mary’s. Due to the unusual circumstances of Covid 19 in 2021 average Sunday attendance figures are really irrelevant. ## **Objectives and Activities** When planning our activities, the PCC has considered the Charities Commission’s guidance on public benefit, and in particular the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion, in so doing encouraging as many people as possible to worship in our church. During the year the PCC has discussed and amended the Safeguarding policy and the Privacy Policy in line with the legal requirements. At every PCC meeting a Finance report is given. ## **Achievements and Performance** 2021 was a more positive year than 2020 even though due to Covid-19 restrictions we were unable to have a service in church until Easter Sunday (4 April). Activities were also affected and there were no indoor activities until September. However, Bumps & Babes (a pre-school group) met in the churchyard, weather permitting. Services were streamed between January and April and continued to be so even when services re-started in April under Covid rules. Later in the year we were able to live stream the two Sunday services. These are the 9.30am All Age service and the 11.15am traditional Morning Prayer. Once a month there is a communion service at these times and also every Thursday at 10.30am, but unfortunately the Sunday evening service has not re-started. The attendance at services has gradually increased during the year but have not yet reached pre- covid numbers. Most activities have now restarted including WLTDO?, T & C, a Thursday coffee morning and the monthly Craft and Coffee. In November, the Rev. Stephen Prior retired and since then we have been very grateful that the retired clergy in our congregation have volunteered to take most of the services. Despite the problems with Covid at the end of the year our Christmas services were quite well attended and we even had a choir to lead the singing of the carols. Members of the church have continued to support the Recovery House and donations are taken weekly to the local food bank and following the Harvest Services a lot more donations were taken. The Open Plate Christmas collections were also donated to support the local homeless and the food bank. During the year 7 Funerals,1 Thanksgiving Service, 4 Weddings and 1 Blessing were held in church, however, the clergy officiated at 10 funerals held at crematoria and local Funeral Homes 2. ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW OF THE YEAR** Total receipts on the unrestricted General Fund were £134,626, and payments from this fund totalled £132,924, giving a surplus of £1,702. Despite the difficult year the amount of regular giving was very encouraging. After Stewardship Sunday we received approximately £7,000 in “one off” donations, also during the year we received £13,208 in Legacies which meant that we were able to have a surplus in the General Fund. Due to the continued Covid restrictions income from the Open Plate, Hall Lettings and Activities were not back to pre-covid levels. However, we were able to give 10% of our General Income, £11,545 to home and overseas Mission, including £2,500 to our sister church to help them pay their Parish Share. In addition to this we were able to send £16,527 from the Mission Restricted Funds to various special appeals, this includes £9,641 to support a refugee family. Expenditure for everyday running costs was less than the 2021 Budget as for the first three months of the year no services were held in church. The Parish Share of £82,673 was paid in full. We have various funds designed to target specific areas. These are: - **General Unrestricted Funds** - This is the fund which we use to receive our regular voluntary giving, and other income from activities, fees, hall lettings and Investments etc. This account is used to pay all our general expenses **Restricted Funds** – By their very nature these funds are held by the PCC for use on projects which are restricted to be used only for a specific purpose. The largest by far is the Fabric Fund for Church and halls building repairs. Currently this fund has assets of £159,964 of which £95,771 is invested and yielded an annual income of £7,453. From this fund £13,817 was used to replace the boilers of the heating system of which we were able to claim a VAT Grant of £2,303 and £8,832 on the South door for which we had a grant of £9,837 from The Friends of St Mary’s. At the year end the Restricted Funds in addition to Fabric were Mission £2,003 Youth Work £530 and Refugee Support £4,206. **Designated Funds** – These are designated by the PCC for specific projects but are not ring fenced and can be re-directed by the PCC. There was only £100 expenditure from this fund in 2021 and £400 for WLTDO was transferred to General Funds. At the year end the Designated Funds were as follows: - Fabric £6,956 Rushden East Outreach £6,000 As a Church we should be grateful for the support we receive from our members and thank God that we are able to continue to look forward with faith into 2022 . 3 ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT** ## **TO THE** ## **PCC OF ST MARY, RUSHDEN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE** This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2021 which are set out on the attached pages. ## **RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** The members of the PCC (the Trustees) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Trustees consider 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. It is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act): - follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners; and - state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT** My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the Church Council (the Trustees) concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT** In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention: - (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the and 2011 Act; - to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or - (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed …………………. Date ……07/02/2022………………………. K Titmuss 191 Monarch Road Eaton Socon PE19 8JP 4 . ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARY, RUSHDEN** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021** ## **ACCOUNTING POLICIES** The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the Charities SORP 2005. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. Investment assets are also recorded at their historical cost price as any capital increment in value is taken into account on the date of disposal and not on an annual basis. Market value of these investments as at the Balance Sheet date is recorded by way of a note on the accounts. The accounts 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 main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members. ## **FUNDS** General Funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available on the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC although unrestricted have been shown separately in order to inform members of PCC decisions. ## **INCOMING RESOURCES** ## **Voluntary Income and Capital Sources** Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC. Planned giving receivable under covenant is recognised only when received. Income tax recoverable on covenants or gift aid donations is recognised when the income becomes due Grants and Legacies to the PCC are accounted for when received by the PCC. Funds raised by events and activities are accounted net. ## **Other Ordinary Income** Rental income from the letting of Church premises is recognised when the rental becomes due. 5. ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARY, RUSHDEN** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021** ## **Income from Investments** Dividends and interest are accounted for when receivable. 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. Unrealised gains or losses are accounted for by way of note to the accounts. It is not the accounting policy to take such gains or losses to the Financial Activity Account until they have been physically realised. ## **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 quota or parish share is accounted for when payable. Any unpaid quota at 31 December is provided for in these accounts as an operational (though not a legal) liability and is shown as a creditor in the Balance Sheet. ## **FIXED ASSETS** ## **Consecrated land and buildings and movable church furnishings** Section 10(2) (a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011 excludes consecrated and beneficial property from the Accounts. No value is placed on movable church furnishings held by the churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal since the PCC considers this to be inalienable property. All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or benefice buildings and movable church furnishings, whether maintenance or improvements, is written off as expenditure in the SOFA and separately disclosed. For insurance purposes the church and contents are valued at £22,390,000. ## **Church Halls** These are valued for insurance purposes at £2,960,000 including contents ## **Investments** Investments are shown at acquisition price with a note of market value as at 31 December. ## **Current Assets** Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectible. Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CBF Church of England funds or at the Bank. 6. PARIXfrIAL COUIKIL OF RuS￿EN ST. P•MRYS PARISH CTrLRCH TO FIPwK￿L sTATE￿fNrs 2 IIKOI4PK RESOtW