FINANCIAL REPORT
Financial statements for the year ended August 2023 were prepared, and independently examined, approved by Church Council in October 2023 and submitted to The Charity Commission.
At the end of the financial year, August 2023, general congregational giving had increased but rental income was still trying to recover to pre COVID levels. The building used to pay for itself through the rents, give us a base for our activities and contribute financially to our outreach. Resource costs were higher because of some essential repairs. Cleaning continues to make a big hole in our finances, but it’s difficult to find an alternative solution to outsourcing to an agency & utility bills will definitely rise despite EHD being on fixed rate contracts.
A predicted deficit budget of < £30 k for 2023/24 is extremely likely. The year ending August 2024 is anticipated to show an overspend of £11k.
A grant of £10,000 from the Circuit has been made and the feasibility study is nearing completion.
Thank you to everyone who has continued to give. We are looking forward to everyone continuing to review, maintain and hopefully increase their regular giving too.
FUTURE FINANCES
We need to continue to review/maintain/increase levels of income – for one off pieces of work that we (as a church family) decide we want to do and can afford to do.
Below is a starter list, but funding for these will have to be found; in addition to an increase in general running costs.
Dry Rot in the upstairs landing toilet
Repairing rotten windows (c£2K)
Replace windows on the landing and at the back of Room 10, with PVC – (cf £2.5K)
Replace lighting in the sanctuary (c£2K) & redevelop sanctuary itself (c£000s)
Continue to monitor water ingress when gulleys and rooves are overwhelmed by rain volume. Paddy Harvey
LUNCH CLUB REPORT - 2024
Our church Lunch Club has continued to meet throughout the last year serving a cooked meal each week to around 20 people. As usual, I must extend my grateful thanks to all the helpers, without their commitment, it wouldn't happen and we would all miss out on the fun, laughter and fellowship that we share together.
During the last year we continued to celebrate birthdays, always with cake ! - our Summer picnic (indoors !), Christmas Dinner with all the usual trimmings and the singing of carols and presents and enjoyed celebrating Chinese New Year in February and learned quite a lot from a quiz ! Table quizzes and paper games have been well received this year and folks will happily stay on after the meal and natter!
All the helpers attended our annual Food Safety Training course, we really are a canny lot and we can 'tick all the boxes' to say we run an efficient and safe food service.
Members have come and gone during the last year, we fondly remember Ivy Jones, Cath Valentine and Ann Fleetwood but have also welcomed new friends to join us. Some folks are no longer able to attend weekly due to poor health but they are not forgotten and we are regularly in touch with them.
As always, we warmly welcome new members and additional helpers, it really is an enjoyable way of spending a morning - come and see !
Mo Payne
Through the last year there have been highs and lows for members of our Church family. Some have lost people very dear to them and some are experiencing deteriorating health, which means some major, potentially difficult decisions have to be made. There have also been some notably joyous occasions - Diamond Wedding Anniversary, Graduations, Weddings and the joy of watching our youngest member grow. Support has been given through visits, cards acknowledging events and support though the invaluable Care groups and the Prayer Chain. We are greatly indebted to all who give their time to keep the pastoral system working. Communication between them and the Minister is essential. Coffee Stop, weekly on a Friday morning at the John Brodie, is still providing friendship and support. Membership is currently at 71.
Jenny Doonan. Pastoral Secretary?
(The role of Pastoral Secretary is not an onerous one and it is very satisfying. It is,largely, a case of responding to events and therefore, often dependent on communication.
I have enjoyed filling this role for the past twenty three years, but would like now to hand over to somebody else. I am happy to explain what it has involved for
me, but a new person can make the role their own. Jenny.)