## ’ – ST AIDAN S CHURCH, GRAVESEND ANNUAL REPORT 2023 ## **Charity No. 1130169** ## **Background** St Aidan’s parish occupies almost 1 sq. mile, containing a population of over 11,450 (estimated from the 2011 Census). The inhabitants are predominantly White British with a small Asian population of long standing and, in recent years, a growing African-Caribbean population. There is a Muslim cultural centre close to the church (formerly a public house). The church’s buildings consist of the Hall (built 1954), Vicarage (built 1958) and Church (built 1963) of which the rear two window bays were converted in 2006 to the ‘Powerhouse’ consisting of a kitchen, two meeting rooms (which can be opened out to form an extension to the worship area, two toilets (one suitable for those with disabilities) and, on the accessible mezzanine floor, a computer room and balcony overlooking the worship area. All these buildings are adjacent to each other in the Westcourt area of the parish. The Christopher Centre (in the Riverview Park area of the parish) was once managed by St Aidan’s but is now let on a long lease from the Diocese to the Christopher Centre Residents’ Association – St Aidan’s pays for any use during the week but has free use, if required, on Sundays. The PCC represents the congregation and supports the incumbent in maintaining the work and witness of the Church in the parish. The PCC takes responsibility for the fabric of the church buildings and ensures safeguarding policies and practices are adopted and maintained. ## **Membership** During 2023, the following served as members of the PCC: **Incumbent:** The Rev’d Michael Payne **Lay Reader:** Dr Peter Harris (licensed 13[th] May 2023) **Churchwardens:** Dennis Ashurst, Rob Hollands (elected 26/3/2023, sworn in 14/6/2023) **Deanery Synod Reps:** Dr Peter Harris, Janet Morris (from 1/6/2023, elected 26/3/2023) **Elected members:** Ann Ashurst, Mike Butler (from 26/3/2023), Daphne Lane (to 26/3/2023), Doreen McIntosh, Janet Morris (to236/3/2023). Steve Kench-Cannon (from 26/3/2023), Jan Hollands (from 26/3/2023), Barbara Potter, David Rawlinson, Jenny Rawlinson, David Sisterson, Janet Trevor, Anne Welch, Michael Welch. Mavis Prater (retired as a Licensed Reader on 15[th] May 2022) but continued as Reader Emeritus. Sylvia Munns (licensed as an Anna Chaplain on 15[th] February 2022) continued in this role. Dr Peter Harris held the Bishop’s Certificate to preach at certain number of sermons each year and was licensed as a Lay Reader on 13[th] May. The APCM was held on 26[th] March 2023. ## **_____________________________________________** ## **Staff** Services are taken by the Vicar. ## **Committees** **The PCC** normally meets in alternate months. Matters of principle, and proposals for expenditure, are referred to the full Council. **Standing Committee:** This committee (normally meeting a fortnight before most PCC meetings) undertakes the initial assessment of important issues. In an emergency it may make decisions on important matters which must then be submitted to the full Council for ratification. **Fund Raising & Social Committee:** Organises fundraising and social activities. **Nursery School Management Committee:** The Vicar is the chair of this committee. It is responsible for running the St Aidan’s Nursery School on two sites on weekday mornings. It consists of 5 (currently 3) members of the PCC and 4 staff members. **Pastoral Care Team** – Formed to consider the well-being of members of the congregation, and arranging visits or other communication with those in hospital and those sick at home or housebound for other reasons. Meetings are usually held about once a month. **Church attendance:** At the APCM on 26[th] March, there were 63 names on the roll (unchanged compared to the previous year). There were 80 Easter communicants, 43 Christmas communicants (all home Communions excluded), 1 confirmation, 5 funerals 12 baptisms 1 wedding **FINANCE** 1 See separate report annexed which also gives information about ‘away giving’. ## **REVIEW** ## **Church/Powerhouse Fabric** In February the original windows & exterior door in the Vicar’s Vestry were replaced with a new installation making the room draught-free and more secure. ## **Hall Fabric** The Hall continues to give good service to the church and the community although it needs redecoration and the roof and hall floor are both in need of attention. The leaking water heater above the Ladies’ toilet handbasin was replaced ## **Vicarage** The house is in good repair. The fire in the lounge has had a new fireback fitted. There have been problems with mould due to the airflow. A new ventilation system has been fitted to remedy this. There have been problems with mice accessing the cavity walls; pest control experts have attended the property. In the garden, the large cherry tree was taken down due to a large cavity in the main trunk. The vicar is grateful to the diocesan property team for their support and attentiveness. ## **Nursery School** The Nursery School successfully continued to operate from the Church Hall and the Christopher Centre throughout the year making full use of the enclosed Woodland Garden which they had created at the side of the Hall. ## **Ministry & Mission** The regular pattern of services was as follows: **Sundays:** Common Worship Sung Parish Eucharist (BCP used about 4 times p.a.) On the fifth Sunday the service included anointing for healing and wholeness for those who wished it. The Sunday morning service is usually live-streamed although this is temporarily suspended whilst better equipment is sourced which will significantly improve transmission quality. **Wednesdays:** Common Worship said Morning Prayer; Common Worship said Eucharist (BCP once per month) **Fridays** : The Holy Rosary (once per month) Starting during the first Covid Lockdown, the Vicar’s weekly on-line ‘Reflection’ communiqués (with paper copies for those not on-line) which included commentaries on Sunday’s readings by several regular contributors, continued. On-line services and, on several days of the week, Facebook Night Prayer, continued and attracted some viewings far beyond the parish boundary. On Tuesday & Wednesday mornings from 10[th] January the Lounge and West Room of the Church were open to all as a Warm Space, with refreshments available and with local Councillors in attendance. A Grant was received from Gravesend Borough Council towards the cost of heating the premises and we received a score of ‘5’ from their Food Safety department. From Easter onwards, the session on Wednesday was discontinued and that on Tuesday was renamed A Place of Welcome – this was discontinued after the end of June due to low demand. The Ash Wednesday Eucharist was held, followed by the liturgies for Maundy Thursday & Good Friday and Easter Day. The Eucharist on 7[th] May commemorated the King’s coronation the previous day. The much appreciated All Souls’ Service of Remembrance & Thanksgiving was held on 5[th] November. A short Service of Remembrance was held at the site of RAF Gravesend on 12[th] November. ## **Powerhouse** The computer suite is run by a volunteer but only on one morning each week because of a reduced number of attendees. Digital Skills courses run by _The Gr@nd_ continued in the early part of the year and _Pixel_ ran a course to improve employment prospects for those without work in January. ## **Safeguarding & Children’s Work** 2 The Parish Safeguarding Officer (appointed 15/11/2018) and her details are displayed in the Church & Church Hall and were sent to the Diocesan Office. The _**Promoting A Safer Church – Safeguarding Policy Statement**_ is displayed in the Church and the Hall. The _**Formal Statement of Adoption**_ of this policy was agreed and signed at the APCM and a copy is displayed in the Church. Posters are displayed to raise domestic abuse awareness. The work of the PSO continued to be demanding during the year. Sunday School was held once a month during morning services but from May was held twice each month and our thanks go to Mrs Ann Ashurst, Mrs Amy Payne and Dr Peter Harris. The Vicar was a governor of both Tymberwood Academy (Primary) and Chairman of Governors at St George’s C of E Secondary school. ## **Safety & Security** The Church’s Data Protection Officer continued to ensure that personal data is held only in accordance with the requirements of the GDPR. Regular yearly fire/risk assessments were undertaken and recommendations acted upon. Thrice-yearly safety inspections of the Church/Powerhouse and Hall were undertaken and reports acted upon. Fire extinguishers were professionally checked in April and lift maintenance and the Hall gas boiler were also properly serviced. The electrical installations in both church & hall were professionally checked. In the Spring, spiked plates (as approved by Kent Police) were fixed to the edges of the porches to deter young people from accessing the adjacent flat roof and kit was hoped that this would make removal of these porches unnecessary. (The summer heat caused the glue holding the strips in place to melt and they were then refixed more permanently). All exterior steps had their whiteline edging renewed prior to the darker evenings. ## **Music** The small choir sung during the Sunday morning services (except during the monthly All Age-format service) although the organist played at all Sunday morning services. Two new adult members joined the choir during the year. The choir performed a number of seasonal carols at the Advent Sunday and the Nine Lessons Services. ## **Social & other events** Aidan Ladies held monthly meetings throughout the year. An Agapé meal was held in Holy Week. A local litter-picking event was held after the morning service on 21[st] May, followed by a bring and share picnic. There were no Christian Aid door to door collections but bucket collections were held at a local supermarket and a Plant Sale and Bring and Buy Sale, with refreshments, (to benefit Christian Aid) was held on 27[th] May. Coffee Mornings were held during the year on the first Wednesday of the month after the morning service. A Quiz Evening was held on 8[th] July. A very well attended Light Party for young people and their families was held on 31[st] October and proved a good outreach opportunity. The Marlowe Singers gave a concert in church on 14[th] December. St Aidan’s continued to have contact with the work of the Hope Gardens in Tamil Nadu, South India and some individuals, and the Church collectively sponsored several children there. Also, as a result of a brother of a member of the congregation being consecrated a Bishop in Sierra Leone, we have links with his work there. Thirty-seven shoe boxes were filled and passed to _Amen_ in November for sending to Romania. Several church members knitted hats and squares for blankets which were donated to the Salvation Army. The well attended Christmas Fair was held on 25[th] November. Because of the lack of volunteers willing to close the Hall after late evening parties the Hall was only let to responsible groups who would be lock up after they had finished. ## M J Welch M J Welch PCC Secretary xx/x/2024 3 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL IPCC) OF ST AIDAN, GRAVESEND This report on the financial slatements of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2023. which are set out on pages 2 10 8, is in respect of an examlnation carried out in accordance wlth the Church Ac¢ounting Regulations 2006 ('Ihe Regulations,) and the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act'l. Respective responslbllltles of the PCC and examlner As the members of th8 PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the financial Gtalements., you consider that the audit requirement of the Regulations and section 144{21 of the Charities Act 2011 does not apply. It is my responsibilty to Issue this report on those financlal stalemenls in accordance with the lerms of the Regulations. Ba818 of th1$ roport My examlnatlon was ¢arried out in accordance with the Gener81 Directions given by the Charity CommlssSon under section 145 of the Act and to be found in the Church guKJance. 2006 edition. That examinatlon includes a review of the accountlng records kept by the PCC and a Comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual rtems or disclosures in the flnanclal statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees concernlng any such matters. The procedures undertaken do noi provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit oplnion on the view given by the accounts. Independent ?xamlner's statomonl In connection wllh my examlnatlon, no matter has come to my attentlon.. 11 **thi¢h gives me reasonable cause lo believe that in any materlal respect tp requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act,. and to prepare flnanclal statements which accord with the accounting record5 and lo comply with the requirements of the Act and the Regulation5 have nol been mel., or 2) to whlch, In my opinion. attention should be drawn in order lo enable a Pfoper understanding of the a¢counts to be reached. Mr. Keith Scudder 42 Frobisher Way, Grave5end. Kent DA12 4RA 23rd February 2024 FINANCE - 2023 General The accounts for th¢ year shoth. a loss on the General Fund of £371 which leaves a balance on the General Fund of £3.197 ￿'hICh is siill Mell beloM' the reserves policy amount. Gift Aid for the year ￿'aS £5.301 (2022: £5,281). The Powerhouse made a loss of £209 (202?: £1.047) and (he Hall tnade a PTofit of £J.867 (2022-. Profit £1,723). Unfortunately during the year we losi ? of our regular hirers so now we only have 3 hirers and 2 of those. although ￿gular. do not hire it for long each week. The Nursery School show¢d a profit of £21,826 (20?2: Loss £18.174) after the transfer of funds for the renl of the Church Hall. The fund balance now stand5 at £68.993. Reserves Policy It is th¢ PCC'S policy to try to maintain tree reserve funds equal lo 3 months expendiiure. Th¢ r¢siriciive funds excluded from ihis ￿)I1¢y. Explanation of Funds The PCC has a General Fund through V¥hich all Iransaciions relating to nornjal incoTne and expenditure on the Ministry. the Church building and ihe general activities of the PCC pass. The Church and Church Hall Repair Fund contain funds sel aside ro meet repair expendilure lo ihe buildings cons¢queDt uwn a quinquennial rei'iew. or to me¢t larg¢ items of repair or replacemenl as ihe>' arise. The uses of ihe5e funds are restricted io those PUTposes onlv. There aTe two Siipend Funds to be used as necessary io ensure thai the cost of the sncumbenS"S Stipend can be mei should ihe Genernl fund be unable lo meet the whol¢ cost in anv N'ear. The Restrictiv¢ Fund is io be used for this purrM)se onl).. but the Designated Fund can be used for anv clergy of the parish. The Nursery School restrictive fund covers the financlal affair5 of the Nursery School. The school is to be s¢lf supporting, but is enabled to conlribuie lo Ihe General Fund of the PCC. The school meets al the Christopher Centr¢ and th¢ Church Hall 5 mornings a week. (2) ¥.T AIDANS PAROCMIAL 1130119 STATeiAtKr ov FIMAMCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED JIST DECEIIIBER 2023 RCH VIICIL 2023 2022 G•n¢r•l DgOl¢at•d Restrirfhf• Fynd• Fund M(*hers& St¥￿￿ Bui*ing Grants SIip6nd T£¥1dth NurseryS¢h Tci Fund Inccffl Ro8￿JrC•s Gmng 30,554 29.163 Ord1nary Incc¥n¢ 972 3.319 2S9,413 263.704 237.346 Fund Raty 2.oe2 2.082 1.630 Charty ApF4al& 635 835 Legxle8&Olb8r 4 9.483 9.483 12.390 1,150 Intwul Tdal 1.692 45.419 Z.287 0 309.87$ 281.524 1.150 259.897 R8JoJr¢8s The MiTriilry 24.031 24.034 X,568 Tho c1w￿h 18,095 18,095 7.871 Ordin•ry Exp•r¥Jttur• 4,422 232.371 236,794 245.9JO 1, 101 Grgnl Eyndrtur• 880 Other EwYrtur• 14.873 14,873 15.037 0 295,645 297.387 232,371 Ne¢ In¢thr4 116.9911 0 3,409 27,526 14,230 115,843) Fund Tr#n8fw• 16.620 4,5201 18,4 5.7001 rn¢￿•m￿ of FuTh11 in Y 14.5201 12.9>11 21.828 14.230 115,8411 Brtyjghl F* 5.252 6.053 1.855 48.ocfj 47.187 109,901 125, 744 8•1on¢• Carr￿J Fwj 3.197 732 3.062 2,141 8.99Y 124,131 109.9 Income 2022 note 1 Gm'ng FTeè Will Offering colleth.on Incorne Tax rwvered. Grfl AMY Donations 20.724.20 3.424.L S.301.01 1.104.39 19.518 3.035 S.281 30,553.66 29.163 note 2 Otdinary Income PCC fees 972.IX) 972. 1,554 note 3 Fund Raising 1082.43 2.082.43 1.630 note 4 Legacies Grants.. TOG StudeTrt Insurance Claims other - Cnureh Hall Rents Pow*rlbJuse Rents Pilot Sa Book of R8membrance 512 8.033.1YJ 1,145.31 10. 754 I.LVJ9 25 9.483.31 12,390 . Additionally £5,7Tr313Y22'. £5.0121 paid by the Nursay School is treat¢d as a Funds Transfer Interest 1.692.49 416 Expenditure note S The Ministy Stspend 19.4W2. Tl.74 22.394 Curate TOG Student Viearage 4.464.29 4.174 24,034.03 26,568 note6 The Church Services Organist Fee5 Organ Maintenance Heat &Lryht str. Repairs & Maintenance Giourbjs Insurance 455.11 111 7.20 2.095.48 112414.88 498.1)0 1.893.93 2,422 3.173 20 18.094.60 7.872 note 7 Ordinary Expenditu Parish Share Building Repair Fund Adminthtion Young Peoples %Vork 2.31Th). 1122.19 1. 774 65 4,422.19 4,139 note8 Other Expenditure FWO Subscnptson5 Clturch Ha11 Expenses Indepen¢Jent Examiners Fee Other C<)5t5 Powerhouse Expense5 Other 31. 708.20 12,C4)9.68 140.rKJ 31 12.tA$3 1.354.36 Z146 14.872.70 15,Q37 141 47& 0 ¥7 (52 ST AIDAN'S NUItSEAY SCIIQOiS 114CCthIE & EXPEP4DrruRE STATEMENT FOR YEAR END114G 31￿ DECEMBER 2029 ACCRUALS FROM TR￿LAALlNCE TOTA15 entr•l Costs 2023 Tot 2023 2023 CODE 4COME Fee5 recelved Funding ￿e1ved NEST refunds Fundrais5 Grants,. Salary Eouiprnent / TralnlnB Interest Income DonatioTrs Other income l ir*1 Snack Fees) TOTAL114COME tsoi 1x02 1x03 15783.80 37fQ(hJ 119105.15 116054.51 19543.80 235159.66 IXOS 1¥06 1¥07 Ixll 892.47 680.69 16S9.49 484.36 1600.C#J 484.36 16(wJ. 1450.00 259897.31 850.￿ 6¢xJ.(Ki 136631.41 121095.1 11?￿69 EXPENDITURE 2x01 &2 Salaries Ilnclwtin8 Errwloyer's NICI 2x03 Rent 2M04 Subscriptions 2x05 Moblle Phone 2x06 Cowse Fees 2x07 StotionÈry 2x08 Prfnting and PhotocopyinB 2x09 Postage 2x10 Cr•ft Materials 2x11 Books 2x12 Equipment 1176SO.89 67194.60 12109.26 1311.￿ 57W.fA) 95.71 196954.75 13011.ixl 190.70 772.45 593.50 94.99 772.45 125.50 766.55 8& 218.0) 76.15 217.88 20.txi 91.22 1.99 295.19 250.iX) 41.48 19&88 502.76 20.00 489.2D 208.05 4787.66 13.98 2110.12 3678.38 814.09 2x13 2x14 2¥15 2x16 2x17 2x18 2x19 2x20 2x21 2¥22 2x23 2x24 2x25 2x26 2x27 RepèFrs & Renewals Chrtstmas PaTtyI En¢rtalnefS Consumables A￿litorS Renumerattort InsurarTrce Membev5fv1p Fees Bank CharKe5 KCC Inspection Fees Other Slaff Costs ReeAMtmenl Costs Ex-Gratia Payments L)on21rons by Nursery Promotion of Nursery Ofsted Costs NESTCosts Float/ Adjustment Iln year movementltsnalloc petty cash TOTAL EXPE￿lTURE Iin74,24 7s(￿A7 35789.37 50.LK) 446.58 3020. 140.CKs 2000.62 536.05 6.58 693.33 1155.21 1172.06 140.00 20c￿.62 536.05 91. 88.99 1945.20 3LKI.IYJ 2125.19 3W.00 I￿.00 10938.19 10938.19 ItyJ71A8 SLrrplu5 1 IDeficiil before Central Costs 9357.18 4608733 .3361&6A 21825A3 AtloratI(￿ ol Cortral Costs ChrisiopherCentre- 90% Communlty Hall- io% -30256.81 -30256.81 -3361.868 .3361.868 -20899.63 42725.46 0.00 21825.83 SAINT AIDAN* PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Ist•red Ch No:1130169 BALANCE AS AT 31 ST DECEMBER 2023 2022 2023 2023 Fi￿d Asset". Investment a cost.. Held at DKcese 892 892 Current Assets Inve$tments-Nalk)nal Sawngs 46,005 9.587 1,525 60,489 21.T52 2,773 46,005 6.595 -Held at Diocese Cash -at DK)cese -on Deposrt -current Account Debtors& Prepayments 1,665 87.055 10.516 1.578 153,414 142,131 Current (33, 122) Sundry Creditor (30.1741 109,009 Nei Current Assets 123,240 109,901 T¢)tsl Net Assets 124,131 Represented by- 3,568 5,252 General Fund Designated Stipend furKI 3,197 732 Restrtcled Funds.. 1,855 Grants 6,053 8urfdmg Repair Fund 46,006 Stipend Fund Mothers & Toddlers 4T,167 Nursery School Development Fund 2,141 3,062 46,OC6 68.993 109,901 124,131 Hon Treasuref STAIDANS PCC Stat•ment ol Away Givlng Charity 8alanca In 2023 Oul 2023 NCAY Due Dem8lz3 Houye Ellen￿l￿On$ Foundati Great Oimond Street Blood Runner$ Rhèma Trusl IHOW Garden) Food Bank Sanctuary Making MerTr¢yies . Smartie Lent Appeal FkJusÈ of Mercy Water Aid Street Pastors Poverty & H¢¥>e. M8ke 8 Wish Churth Urban Fund Friends of Ihe Hoty Land o.r)0 43. 18. 43. 2LX).IXI 1182.001 o.iyj 249 57 249.57 3970 39.70 61.Crt) 61. o. o.c 69.65 o. 1S4. RNLI Air Ambulance Chocese of Bo Bliss 6965 77.C(I 4CA).c(J 1169.Crf)I 77.￿ 634.92 1.(K11.92 1290.00) Accrual 61. ## INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC) OF ST AIDAN, GRAVESEND This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 2 to 8, is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 ('the Regulations') and the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act'). ## Respective responsibilities of the PCC and examiner As the members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements; you consider that the audit requirement of the Regulations and section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 does not apply. It is my responsibility to issue this report on those financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Regulations. Basis of this report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 of the Act and to be found in the Church guidance, 2006 edition. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an 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 matter has 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 Act; and to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the requirements of the Act and the Regulations 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. Mr. Keith Scudder 42 Frobisher Way, Gravesend, Kent DA12 4RA 23[rd ] February 2024