St. Mary’s5) Church
North Mymms
2025 Annual Report and Accounts
for the Parochial Church Council of St. Mary’s Church, North Mymms
St. Mary’s Church, North Mymms Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 3ist December 2025
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH, NORTH MYMMS
:
INDEX
| CONTENTS | Page Numbers |
|---|---|
| Index | 1 |
| Annual Trustees Report | 2 to 6 |
| Independent Examiners Report | 7 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 8 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 9 |
| NotestotheFinancialStatements | 10to12 |
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;
Administrative Information
St Mary’s Church is situated in the parish of North Mymms. It is part of the Diocese of St Albans within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Vicarage, North Mymms Park, Hatfield, Herts, ALO 7TN.
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The Parish Administrator and Safeguarding Officer is Mrs Lisa Large.
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The Church banks with Barclays Bank.
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The Independent Examiner is Mr Mark Knight.
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The Church's Electoral Roll Officer is Mrs Victoria Sinclair Crake.
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The Church’s Treasurer is Mr Graham Nicholas.
The Parochial Church Council
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Mary’s Church, North Mymms was registered in 2009 with the Charity Commission under registration number 1130079. PCC members who have served at any time from 1+ January 2025 until the date this report was approved are: Team Vicar The Reverend Ruth Barr Chair Associate Priest | The Reverend Penny Thomson Curate The Reverend Sara Head
Wardens
Mr. Rupert Lee Mrs Gill Peplow
PCC Secretary
Mrs Nicola Sherlock
Representative on the Deanery Synod: Mr Peter Dalling Mr Byron Hopkins Mrs Karen Hopkins
Elected Members
Mrs Sue Crawley Mrs Pamela Davis Mrs Lisa Large Mr Geoffrey Boothby Mrs Victoria Sinclair Crake Mr Graham Nicholas Mr Richard Jackson Mrs Jacqui Boulton Mrs Libby Parker
(Until 17% May 2025)
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Structure, Governance and Management
The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All eligible church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. The Parish is part of the Hatfield Team Ministry which members in addition to St Mary’s are; St Etheldreda’s:, Hatfield; St Luke’s, Hatfield, St Michael and All Angels, Birchwood, Hatfield; St John’s, Hilltop, Hatfield and St John’s, Lemsford. The Team Rector who is based at St Etheldreda’s Church is Fr. Darren Collins. Objectives and Activities St Mary’s PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the parish priest, the Reverend Ruth Barr, and the Churchwardens in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. Our vision statement is “Our vision for St. Mary’s is to be an outward looking and welcoming Church, catering for all age groups and helping the local communities to experience God’s love and grow in faith.”
Safeguarding
St Mary’s PCC remains committed to ensuring the safeguarding of our children, young people and vulnerable adults whilst engaged in activities at St. Mary’s Church. All PCC members hold a current DBS check. Safeguarding is on the agenda of every meeting.
The current safeguarding policy is displayed outside the church office with a summary in the porch and St Michael’s room. The policy is reviewed annually by the PCC and various additional policies have been introduced in the past year in accordance with Diocesan requirements. The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults). The documents, ‘Protecting all God’s children’ and ‘Promoting a safer church’ have also provided guidance.
Achievements, Performance & Review of the Year
As at 31st December 2025, there were 84 (2024 - 106) parishioners on the church electoral roll, 37 (2024 - 37) of whom are not resident within the parish.
Life events for 2025: C1 There were 8 weddings, 7 at St Mary’s and one in St Saviour’s St Albans conducted by Rev Sara Head for a Deaf couple she knew and completely done in British Sign Language which wasa first for the St Albans Diocese. 1 We conducted 5 baptisms, 1 of which was for an adult who wanted to fulfil the role of a godparent but needed to be baptised first.
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C We conducted 10 funerals, 7 of which included a full service at the church before burial or cremation, 1 full service was held at St Luke’s Hatfield - one of the Team Ministry churches and 2 were cremation services only.
C We held 10 Burial of Ashes services here at St Mary's, 7 of these were into existing graves in the New churchyard and 3 were into the Garden of Remembrance. Our thanks go to John Barr who has taken on the role of sexton to prepare the ground and reinstate after the interment and put the plaques onto the raised Garden of Remembrance area and he keeps the area looking immaculate.
As part of the Bishop’s Hatfield Team Ministry, it was decided that each of the four main churches would host a service of a different nature.
e Firstly was the interactive and reflective Ascension Day service at St Michael & All Angels in May.
e In July we held a Choral Evensong here at St. Mary’s led by Elle Jackson as the choir director for the choirs of St Mary’s and St Etheldreda’s and saw a large number of people both in the choirs and congregation singing together.
e There was a well-attended pet service at St Etheldreda’s in September, hosting a variety of pets and pet owners, some of whom had brought a photo of their pet to be blessed.
e Lastly was a Worship & Prayer evening at St John’s Hilltop in October, which was a wonderful opportunity to spend time with the other congregations worshipping the Lord, possibly in a new way.
The Diocese of St Albans named 2025 as being a year for Spiritual Renewal and - Wellbeing and offered various quiet days, pilgrimages and courses to encourage both clergy & laity to take time out of their diaries to spend time with the Lord. We hosted two of these, one in July and one in November which were much appreciated by those who came and enjoyed our beautiful church and surroundings as part of their quiet time.
June 28th soon rolled round and we celebrated our curate, Rev Sara Head, as she was approved for her second ordination service at St Albans Cathedral and was madea priest. She then celebrated her first Eucharist the following day here at St Mary’s and it was a wonderful opportunity to see Communion celebrated both in spoken and British Sign language. The church community stayed for a BBQ lunch as we all enjoyed the sunshine too.
This year, in November, we welcomed the BBC film crew who used both the church and car park for a film called California Avenue, based in the 1970's.
Our toddler group, called Coffee Pots & Tiny Tots, has been growing week by week. We have seen multi generations attend and get involved. Rev Penny has taken the lead role in arranging the themes and crafts and Bible story, backed up by an amazing team of volunteers who are the heartbeat for this wonderful group.
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The knitting group also has been growing with new people adding to the numbers and work-force, making blankets for the Herts Young Homeless and also special things for the Easter Egg Hunt, Teddy Bear's Picnic and Remembrance Day festivities. Home-made cakes seem to be an attractive enticement!
Pastoral Care
It is always a privilege to visit members of our parish who are unable to attend church due to age or infirmity. We would like this to be lay-led, so are setting up a pastoral visiting team who will be authorised and equipped to visit people at home and hospital and offer pre-consecrated communion, if this is required. If you would like to be paired up with someone and trained in this, please let us know.
Deanery Synod
Three members of the PCC sit on the deanery synod. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structure of the church. Items discussed over the year based on presentations by guest speakers were Single Friendly Churches, encouraging greater awareness of how welcoming churches are to single people. A talk on mission in the early church, highlighting the role of families and women.
A presentation from Resolve, focusing on their work and ways churches can engage in fundraising and community support.
Financial Review
The accounts for the year ended 31st December 2025 have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis, which is consistent with those of last year.
Receipts from all sources in 2025 were £143,884 (2024 - £179,664) whilst £133,859 (2024 - £185,414) was paid to provide Christian ministry from St. Mary’s Church. That resulted in an excess of receipts over payments of £10,025 (2024 - excess of payments over receipts of £5,750).
Planned giving at £47,742 was £65 down from the previous year. Donations and legacies at £26,273 were up by just over £9,700, principally because we received two large legacies totalling £10,000.
OSSIF funds of £7,308 were received in 2025, and £335 was spent on capital type projects undertaken in the year together with a payment on account of £3,967 for capital work to be carried out in 2026. Grants for the church and churchyard totalling £3,117 were received in the year, primarily for the toilet refurbishment, the churchyard and the Church cafe.
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The church received £20,400 in respect of the Curate’s property in Bulls Lane and spent £4,064 on agents fees and maintaining the property. Dividends and - bank interest of £1,261 were received during the year.
£72,931 was paid during the year as our contribution towards the Diocesan parish share, an increase of £61 on the previous year.
10% of pledged income raised in 2024, together with gift aid on those donations, and special collections this year totalling £7,498 was spent on away giving to overseas missions, relief agencies and home missions.
From a financial point of view, although it was pleasing to have a surplus for the year, it should be borne in mind that £12,513 was received for specific projects that were not completed in the year and will be undertaken in 2026. We therefore need to keep on top of our fundraising in 2026. A special mention of the fundraising committee must be made for their efforts this year. Cash reserves at the year end, totalled £41,437 and can be split £25,984 for Unrestricted & Designated funds, £13,953 for Restricted funds and £1,500 for Endowment funds.
Reserves policy
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In 1991, the St. Michael’s fund was established following the sale of the St. Michael’s Chapel of Ease, with the income being available for general purposes and the capital being available for capital projects only. At 31 December 2025, the balance on this fund amounted to £17,102. It is the policy of the PCC that this fund should be preserved until such time in the future when it may be required.
It is also the policy of the PCC to set aside each year an appropriate sum to put into the Fabric fund, to fund any major works that may become necessary on the church buildings. This year, no further sum was set aside for the fabric provision and the balance at 31 December 2025 of this fund remained at £5,000.
It is the policy of the PCC to preserve these funds as much as possible to enable the interest earned on them to make an impact on our annual running costs, to provide for emergencies and to enable future generations of church members to benefit.
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Ruth Ror.
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Approved by the PCC on 20th April 2026 and signed on their behalf by the Reverend Ruth Barr (PCC Chair)
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE PCC OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH, NORTH MYMMS
This report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31st December 2025, which are set out on pages 8 to 12, is in respect of my examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 (‘the Regulations’) and section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act)
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner
As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirement of the Regulations and s.144(2) of the Act does not apply and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of this report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. under s.145(5)(b) of the Act and to be found in the Church guidance 2016 edition.
An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC 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 management committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently | do not express an audit opinion on these accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention
(1) which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and - to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records 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.
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M. Knight, FCA ” | 183. Howlands Welwyn Garden City Herts AL7 4RL
20th April 2026
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY'S, NORTH MYMMS
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RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|Total|Funds|
|Funds|Funds|Funds|2025|2024|
|£|£|£|£|£|
|Note|
|RECEIPTS|
|Incoming|resources|from|donors|5|(a)|63,471|-|-|63,471|65,341|
|Other voluntary|incoming|resources|5|(b)|23,651|13,047|-|36,698|60,276|
|Incoming|resources|from|operating|activities|
|-|to further the|Council's|objects|5|(c)|9,137|-|-|9,137|9,378|
|- to generate funds|5|(d)|12,824|-|-|12,824|20,179|
|Income from|fixed|assets|&|investments|5|(e)|21,415|246|-|21,661|19,791|
|Other|incoming|resources|5|(f)|93|0|-|93|4,699|
|TOTAL RECEIPTS|730,591|13,293.|~~—-O|-143,884|~—-|179,664|
|,|
|PAYMENTS|
|Costs|of generating funds|6|(d)|6,340|0|-|6,340|7,919|
|Grants|6|(a)|7,498|-|-|7,498|6,626|
|Activities|relating|to the work|of the|church|6(b)|111,811|7,183|-|118,994|169,452|
|Church|management and|administration|6|(c)|1,027|0|-|1,027|1,417|
|TOTAL PAYMENTS|426,676|7,183|0 -133,859|185,414|
|EXCESS OF|RECEIPTS|OVER PAYMENTS|3,915|6,110|0|10,025|(5,750)|
|TRANSFERS|BETWEEN|FUNDS|0|0|
|—|3,915|6110|0|10,025|(5,750)|
|CASH|AT|BANK AND|IN|HAND|
|AT|1ST JANUARY|2025|22,069|7,843|1,500|31,412|37,162|
|CASH|AT|BANK AND|IN|HAND|
|AT 31ST DECEMBER 2025|25,984|13,953|1,500|41,437|31,412|
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY'S, NORTH MYMMS
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| AT 31ST DECEMBER 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted Endowment |
Total | Funds | |
| Note | Funds | Funds Funds |
2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ £ |
£ | £ | |
| CASH FUNDS Bank current accounts Bank deposits |
4,099 21,885 |
13,953 1,500 |
4,099 37,338 |
752 30,660 |
| re 25,984 13,953 1,500 41,437 31,412 |
||||
| OTHER MONETARYASSETS Gift aid recoverable Prepaid Electricity bill |
8,643 | 8,643 0 |
6,915 1,863 |
|
| ns 8,643 0 0 8,643 8,778 |
||||
| Investment Assets 296 Investment Fund Income Shares at |
6,571 | 6,571 | 6,844 | |
| mid market value | ||||
| ASSETS RETAINED FORCHURCH USE Curate's House Officeequipment |
14,250 2,646 |
14,250 2,646 |
14,250 2,454 |
|
| mR 16,896 0 0 16,896 16,704 |
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| LIABILITIES | ||||
| Light& heat PAYE |
1,236 1,050 |
1,236 1,050 |
0 647 |
|
| a 2,286 0 0 2,286 647 |
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: PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY'S, NORTH MYMMS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1 The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006, using the Receipts and Payments basis.
- 2 Assets retained for church use include the curate's house, a freehold property at 21 Bulls Lane, Welham Green, shown at cost, and office equipment shown at cost.
| 3 | FUND DETAILS AT 31 DECEMBER | 2025 | General | Restricted | Endowment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Chancel Fund OSSIF Fund Churchyard Fund Toilet Refurb & Childrens’ Groups Limewash Church Café Fabric Fund designated St. Michael's Fund designated General Fund |
5,000 17,102 27,135 |
1,439 3,006 8,608 650 250 |
6,571 1,500 |
8,010 3,006 1,500 8,608 650 250 5,000 17,102 27,135 |
||
| a 49,237 13,953 8,071 71,261 |
4 DESCRIPTION OF FUNDS
North Mymms Chancel Fund was established in the mid 1940's as part of the Tithe Redemption Commission following legislation passed in the 1930's to enable Landowners with a liability for the insurance and repair of a particular chancel to discharge that liability by making a “once and for all" end of payment. The capital is to be retained in order to provide an income for the future, but the income may be applied towards the insurance of the chancel or, more generally, towards the repair and maintenance of the chancel and the rest of the Church and Churchyard.
The St. Michael's fund was was established in 1991 when St. Michael's Chapel of Ease was sold for £67,252. After consultation with the Diocese, and in line with a PCC resolution dated 10th January 1992, the proceeds of the sale have been invested by the Diocesan Board of Finance, as directed by the PCC, with the income being available for general ecclesiastical purposes affecting the parish and the capital being available for capital projects only.
The Old School Site Investment Fund (OSSIF) was established in 1985 following the sale of the old school site in Welham Green, with the beneficiaries being St. Mary's Parochial Church Council of North Mymms and St. Mary's JMI School. The income is distributed annually by its Trustees, the Diocesan Board of Finance, on the recommendation of the Local Committee, after consideration of respective submissions from each of the beneficiaries. The Local OSSIF Committee approved the following policy as regards its operation on 17th October 1986, and re-affirmed it in March 1995. - The capital is to be used only for capital projects directly in line with the requirements of the Trust Deed. - Any capital used is to be replaced from interest, within one year if possible, within five years at most. - Interest to be used primarily for capital type projects, with preference to improvement projects rather than maintenance projects, and only in exceptional circumstances for running expenses. The Churchyard Endowment Fund was established in 1993, following a legacy of £1,000 from Miss Pamela Stone. In 1994, a gift of £500 was received from Miss Dorothy Wastell. These are permanent endowments which require the income to be applied towards the maintenance of the churchyard.
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY'S, NORTH MYMMS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025
| 5 | INCOMING RESOURCES | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total | Total | ||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Receipts | ||||||
| 5(a) | Incoming resources from donors Planned giving Gift aid recovered |
47,742 12,047 |
- - |
- - |
47,742 12,047 |
47,807 13,751 |
| Loose collections - services | 1,452 | - | - | 1,452 | 1,686 | |
| Occasional collections | 1,302 | - | - | 1,302 | 1,527 | |
| Special collections | 928 | - | - | 928 | 570 | |
| a 63,471 0 0 63,471 65,341 |
||||||
| 5(b) | Othervoluntary incoming resources Grants forchurch & churchyard OSSIF Donations& legacies |
114 23,537 |
3,003 7,308 2,736 |
3,117 7,308 26,273 |
37,045 6,665 16,566 |
|
| 23,651 | 13,047 | 0 | 36,698 | 60,276 | ||
| 5(c) | Income from operating activities: | |||||
| to further the Council's objects Bookstall St. Michael's Room |
0 515 |
- - |
- - |
0 515 |
27 1,395 |
|
| Fees and charges Candles |
7,919 703 |
- - |
- - |
7,919 703 |
7,254 702 |
|
| 9,137 | 0 | 0 | 9,137 | 9,378 | ||
| 5(d) | Income from operating activities: | |||||
| to generate funds Memorial garden plaques Events &fund raising |
1,904 10,920 |
- - |
- - |
1,904 10,920 |
1,148 19,031 |
|
| 12,824 | 0 | 0 | 12,824 | 20,179 | ||
| 5(e) | Income from fixed assets & investments Bank & Building society interest& dividends |
1,015 | 246 | - | 1,261 | 1,248 |
| Rentfrom 21 Bulls Lane | 20,400 | - | - | 20,400 | 18,543 | |
| 21,415 | 246 | 0 | 21,661 | 19,791 | ||
| 5(f) | Other ordinary incoming resources Sundry income (Inc£3,170 from LPW |
93 | 0 | - | 93 | 4,699 |
| Grant Scheme for listed buildings in 2024) | 93 | 0 | 0 | 93 | 4,699 | |
| TOTALINCOMINGRESOURCES | 130,591 | 13,293 | 0 | 143,884 | 179,664 |
Grants for the churchyard includes £1,100 from North Mymms Parish Council and £45 from the War Graves Commission. Grants for the church include £858 from the Community Fund for heaters and £750 from North Mymms Recreation and Charitable Trust towards the toilet refurbishment. A grant of £250 was received from St. Albans Diocese for the Church Café. £ 114.50 was received from Beds & Herts Historic Churches.
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY'S, NORTH MYMMS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025
| 6 | RESOURCESEXPENDED | Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Funds |
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Funds |
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Funds |
Total 2025 |
Funds 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| 6(a) | Grants Overseas missions Reliefagencies Home missions, secular&others |
0 2,000 5,498 |
- - - |
- - - |
0 2,000 5,498 |
800 1,218 4,608 |
| a ee 7,498 0 0 7,498 6,626 |
||||||
| 6(b) | Activities directly relating totheworkofthechurch Parish share 72,931 Clergyexpenses 489 Salaries 12,642 Telephone 678 Organist 1,690 Choir 728 Subscriptions 114 Sacristry 363 Power&water 8,547 Insurances 2,910 Repairs&maintenance 3,754 Upkeep ofchurchyard 5,195 Children &youthwork 459 Capital type expenditure 342 Memorial garden plaques engravings 131 Sundries 838 Entertaining 0 |
- - - - - - - 0 0 0 181 1,145 360 5,497 - 0 |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
72,931 489 12,642 678 1,690 728 114 363 8,547 2,910 3,935 6,340 819 5,839 131 838 0 |
72,870 833 12,172 585 1,950 532 217 46 16,198 2,730 1,571 3,623 1,035 52,484 146 2,460 0 |
|
| 111,811 | 7,183 | 0 | 118,994 | 169,452 | ||
| 6(c) | Church management and administration Printing & stationery Stewardship Equipment& photocopierexpenses |
1,027 0 0 |
- - |
- - - |
1,027 0 0 |
1,317 100 0 |
| 1,027 | 0 | 0 | 1,027 | 1,417 | ||
| 6(d) | Costs of generating funds Cost ofevents |
2,276 | 0 | - | 2,276 | 3,980 |
| Expenses of21 Bulls Lane | 4,064 | 0 | - | 4,064 | 3,939 | |
| 6,340 | 0 | 0 | 6,340 | 7,919 | ||
| TOTALRESOURCESEXPENDED | 126,676 | 7,183 | 0 | 133,859 | 185,414 |
Restricted funds were spent on capital projects which included:Improvements to the Sound System and a payment on account for the Toilet Refurbishment.
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