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2024-12-31-accounts

Annual Report and Accounts 2024

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish

of Barnard Castle with Whorlton: Diocese of Durham

1. Introduction

This Report has been drawn up in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.

2. Aims and purposes

St. Mary’s Barnard Castle with Whorlton Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, The Revd Canon Alec Harding, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

  1. Objectives and activities: We have discerned the parish’s overarching aim to be

Celebrating God’s Love

We seek to do this by:

  1. Working in partnership with those who bring life to the community.

  2. Celebrating God’s gifts in His creation, His children and His work in this place.

  3. Creating space, time and opportunities for people of all ages to grow in faith and worship.

Our priorities in 2024 were discerned to be:

  1. Growing our work with Children and young people and connecting church, schools and families together.

  2. Healing and wholeness.

  3. Offering ‘Living water’ through our worship and common life so we might grow.

Communication:

We communicate our activities through an e-letter and/or a hard copy newsletter, through the church pew sheet, through the church website and through FaceBook.

Achievements and performance

1. Growing our work with children and young people:

The parish continues to work extensively with children and young people with volunteers involved in the weekly under-fives group (Smuffies), offering Junior church provision at Barnard Castle, weekly Big Story sessions, hymn practice and church school choir sessions and (occasional) Prayer spaces at Green Lane School. Clergy conduct weekly collective worship at Montalbo and Green Lane Schools alongside involvement at Barnard Castle School and

the Prep school. Barnard Castle church hosts school visits and termly school services. Uniformed organizations visit Barnard Castle Church.

However: we continue to struggle to connect those who come for baptism into the life of the church and to give a sense of direction to the considerable amount of work that is being done with Primary School children.

What have we done?

The PCC created a small working group to investigate possibilities for increased work with local schools and uniformed organisations. Some tenuous links with Teesdale School were pursued resulting in an invitation to our curate to attend the school’s ‘Religion & Philosophy’ club with young teenagers.

We invited the Diocesan Children’s Officer to attend worship to speak to the congregation about the Diocesan priority of growing work with children. Unfortunately, Diocesan reorganization of staff roles meant this visit could not take place.

A cause for concern: Whilst the parish ‘Four o’clock’/ Celebrate service had run out of steam (and not resulted in any greater involvement in church life beyond occasional attendance) its demise has de-churched some younger families who had attended (including some members of the Praise Band) The movement of the ‘Celebrate’ service to the 10.30am worship time offers a different style of worship on these occasions but is not itself a tool for growth.

Baptism families who previously had been asked to attend the Four o’clock service are now asked to attend at least one service at 10.30am prior to a baptism. This has been appreciated by the congregation.

The Vicar has played a part in scoping the role for a chaplain to be engaged at Barnard Castle School. It may be possible for this role to be shared with a parish role in the deanery but decisions rest with the school and the diocese.

The PCC supported the creation of Panthers: a music group for children. This is led by Peter Lovatt and involves a small band of teenagers enjoying music under the church’s ‘umbrella’.

It was decided against holding a service of admission to communion at Green Lane CE School this year as the timetable did not permit enough preparation.

The dedication of the new porch windows at Barnard Castle (by + Sarah the Acting Bishop of Durham, on December 8[th] offered the opportunity for an event entitled The Christmas Family Drop in: a mixture of all age craft activities, music, Scalextric (!), refreshments, storytelling and engagement with the windows proved popular. It may be that a structured series of ‘feast day’ events arranged for families might enable the church to engage with a younger demographic.

2. Healing and wholeness

Healing and wholeness sits within the church’s provision of pastoral care to the town. At its widest level this includes ensuring that the parish safeguarding procedures are robust; supporting people to meet together and find strength and fellowship in community through the many groups that use the Parish Hall; promoting church social activities and events; hosting concerts and continuing to offer care home services and pastoral visits (not least those surrounding the occasional offices of baptisms, weddings and funerals).

What have we done?

The ministry of healing has been incorporated into the
regular service pattern at Barnard Castle and members
of the congregation have taken part in online training
through the Go Health organization.
Members of the congregation serve on the Parish
Nursing Trustees.		 The church Safeguarding Officer (Harriet Hargreaves)
moved abroad with her work. A safer recruitment
process saw Mr David Ewart appointed to this role.
David has spent the year getting to grips with the
National Church’s Expectations, helping to bring the
PCC ‘dashboard’ up to date, talking to group leaders and
ensuring that the PCC fulfils what is expected of it
concerning Safeguarding.

The PCC has complied with the duty to have ‘due regard’ to the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance.

Social events

Social events this year have included the Castle Players’ production of These things do happen (promoted by the Friends of St Mary’s).

Barnard Castle hosted ‘Organ world’ for an exhibition The Northern Dales Richard III group held their biennial conference at Barnard Castle.

The Windows for the King project led by Kim Harding was brought to completion with additional fundraising through a Quiz Night, Garden Party and a Ceilidh. The new windows were installed above the porch door by the artist Rachel Phillips. Their unveiling on November 6[th] took place before a full church by Dr Fiona Hill, Chancellor of Durham University.

The Castle Players transformed the nave at Barnard Castle for a stunning performance of the play ‘Dickon by Josephine Tey which sold out its 4 performances.

Barnard Castle School Choral Society performed both the St John Passion and The Armed Man at Barnard Castle church.

Hymns and Pimms at Whorlton was well attended. Whorlton church promoted a display under the title of ‘Whorlton Parish memory Project’ in November which invited villagers to share memories of the village, the church and the Bridge.

The church bellringers’ activities have seen local teams grow in Staindrop and at Cotherstone. The Tower was opened for Heritage Open Day. A small group of handbell ringers rang at Christmas services at Barnard Castle and Whorlton.

The church’s ministry through music continues to flourish. Performances have taken place at a café style cheese and wine event; a Sunday ‘afternoon tea’, a Celebration of Song (involving local schools); a joint event with Barnard Castle Band; music making at the Bowes Museum, a Harvest event; a concert promoted alongside the Rotary Club; an evening event is support of work in Ukraine; a sparkling Christmas concert and involvement with the church’s Christmas Carol service.

Fundraising included a book sale and an increasingly popular wreath making event hosted by the Flower Guild.

3. Offering ‘Living Water’ through our worship and common life so we might grow:

We always seek to offer the very best we can in our worship involving the gifts of as many people as possible and being true both to ourselves and our inheritance of faith through the celebration of the Liturgical Year, and the use of a liturgical approach to worship. Whilst we are not growing as a church in number we continue to welcome new members to the congregation.

What have we done?

Barnard Castle hosted the County Durham WI Carol service.

This year we have:

Used the Celebrate service at Barnard Castle to learn service. about the Diocesan Priorities Enabled those trained through the Wings for Worship The PCC decided to support the Vicar in opting to offer scheme to lead worship. (in limited circumstances) the General Synod’s ‘Prayers Held special services: for All Soul’s tide at both churches of Love and faith’ for same sex couples. It was with and marked the 80[th] anniversary of the D Day landings sadness that 4 members of the congregation decided Welcomed ‘members of ‘Gather church’ for a service to that this and other decisions made by General Synod end their pilgrimage from Gainford to Barnard Castle meant they could no longer worship in Anglican Welcomed the Revd Dr Ana Moskvina as our curate churches. following her ordination on 30[th] June 2024. Supported merchant Navy Day and Aviation Day We offered opportunities for study/discipleship through ceremonies. a number of activities: A special service dedicated to the son of a previous Two ‘discernment events’ were held in church. vicar of the parish, Ian (Tint) Porteus was held at A Lent course over Zoom looked at the Gospel for the Whorlton week. We used ‘Generosity week’ material to promote A course on the Book of Romans from the Bible Society Christian Giving was offered through the summer. In the Autumn a course looked at what could be learned from the saints portrayed in the new window at Barnard Castle

Church Officers and Staff:

The wider church:

This year: The Bishop of Durham (Rt Revd Paul Butler) retired

Wardens’ reports

St Mary’s Barnard Castle

Major work at Barnard Castle included the removal, repair and restoration of the ‘Dugard’ window from the south transept. Work was carried out by Jonathan and Ruth Cooke under the direction of the church architect. The

opportunity was taken to address in situ problems with the secondary glazing of the ‘Sinclair’ window at the south west corner of the church. Both windows look magnificent following professional cleaning. Thanks go to Robert Stenlake for his work in fundraising for the work and guiding this project to completion. Astley Fenwick has continued to replace the low level ‘uplighters’ on the pillars of the church. Towards the end of the year a number of high level spot lights began to flash intermittently. These were removed at considerable cost but a long-term solution to replace the ‘drivers’ in the units is still to be found. Two of the flood lights illuminating the tower need to be replaced and quotations are being sought.

In August several square metres of tiling beneath the pulpit became inexplicably dislodged and rose up from the floor. The church architect oversaw the process of obtaining a report on the problem from specialists. A quotation for repair of over £12000 was deemed unacceptable and permission sought and obtained for a more ‘local solution’. Thanks go to Revd Canon Geoff Lowson for his work in removing the tiles, cleaning, repairing and relaying them - a long and arduous task.

The Windows for the King project was brought to a successful conclusion with etched and coloured glass windows installed above the inner porch doors of the church commemorating the 550th anniversary of Richard III being made Lord of Barnard Castle. Designed by the Pembrokeshire artist Rachel Phillips, the windows present the saints to whom Richard’s College (based at St Mary’s) was to be dedicated: the Virgin and child, Ss Ninian and Margaret of Scotland. In addition, Ss Catherine of Alexandria and Helen are portrayed: there had been a chantry of St Catherine in the church and a chapel dedicated to St Helen at Lowfields (Westwick Road). The whole is flanked by Ricardian boars based upon the stone effigy near the font which had come from the College buildings on Amen Corner. An attempted break-in, in daylight hours, from the chancel into the vestry was foiled by the arrival in church of a parishioner. Two criminals escaped empty-handed having caused £1200 damage to the vestry door. The door was made good by Revd Canon Lowson and then professionally restored by Antony Nixon furniture. Our insurers provided prompt assistance. One of the criminals was apprehended by the police within weeks of the event having left fingerprints at the scene (and in other churches targeted for theft in the area). He immediately received a custodial sentence. The Health and safety implications of the event were discussed with those who open and shut the church and protocols agreed to minimize risks to individuals.

Ongoing problems with blocked drains from the church toilet and servery have necessitated repeated callouts of professionals. The architect’s plans are being sought and a camera survey commissioned to seek a permanent solution to these issues.

Progress towards addressing the next stage of major works (east window of the south transept and repointing of the transept wall and the chancel on the south side) has stalled through lack of funds. That said, the churchwardens received a generous legacy of -£28,000 from the estate of Miss Alcock and have designated it for this project. It is clear that the funding of church projects nationally has been severely curtailed as grant sources dry up and there is an increase in the number of parishes bidding for the limited funds available. The PCC has repeatedly asserted to the Diocesan Advisory Committee its belief that the Ricardian Boar on the exterior of the transept window should be brought into church to preserve it and that a plain stone should replace it on the exterior of the church. The DAC are of the opinion that a ‘carved’ representation/reproduction should replace the original: this is contrary to modern heritage guidelines. As and when faculty permission is requested the Chancellor will make a binding decision on the matter.

Barnard Castle Parish Hall

The Parish Hall is in the care of the Parish Hall Association (PHA) under a lease from the PCC. A request to extend the lease of the hall was made by the PHA to the PCC. Extensive conversations about new terms have not produced agreement. The current lease expires in 2034.

The committee have overseen the refurbishment of the Guild Room to make it a much more comfortable space. A new boiler and new windows formed part of the refurbishment: the cost of works exceeded £24,000 with over £20,000 of this being obtained through grant applications. Thanks are especially given to Clare and John Trevett for overseeing this project.

Emergency lighting throughout the building has been replaced.

St. Mary’s Whorlton

The next quinquennial report is not due until 2026. Some minor filling, sanding and painting repairs were carried out to the window sills during April, also the usual cleaning and oiling of the main doors, together with the belfry and vestry doors.

During August, whilst engaged in work at Barnard Castle, Jonathan Cooke inspected Whorlton windows and highlighted which were in need of repair and the relative urgency of the repairs. Towards the end of the year, the gutters and downspouts were all cleaned and painted. Exploratory work was carried out on the drainage and soak aways. Work has been suspended to clarify necessary permissions and funding. Future work to do includes Organ repairs and work to the windows.

Whorlton Village Hall:

The Village Hall is in the care of the Village Hall Association under a lease from the PCC. The association continue to make changes and improvements to the building.

Some numbers (brackets indicate 2023 numbers)

Some numbers(brackets indicate 2023 numbers)
Baptisms
16 (33)baptisms were conducted at
Barnard Castle, 4 (2) at Whorlton
WeddingsSeven (3) weddings were celebrated at
Barnard Castle, none (1) at Whorlton
Funerals There were 20 (14) funerals at Barnard
Castle and 3 (4) at Whorlton with a further 15 (11)
conducted at the crematoria alone.
Clergy conducted 7 (3) funerals in neighbouring parishes		 Admission to communion
No candidates
ConfirmationNo candidates
Usual Sunday attendance
Based on the ‘October count’ the usual Sunday
attendance at Barnard Castle is 76 (84) adults and 2 (5)
children.
At Whorlton the figure is 10 adults
Easter
At Barnard Castle 126 (132) adults attended Easter worship: 114 (118) communicants.
At Whorlton 10 adults attended Easter worship (9 communicants)
ChristmasAt Barnard Castle 691 (611) people attended services on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve with
139 communicants (up 6 from 2023). Christingle attracted 135 (159) people and the church carol service 270
(152). In addition, two schools (approx. 400 children, 100 adults) and the Durham WI (250 adults) held their Carol
services at church. The Carol singing and Christmas communion service at Whorlton was attended by 50 people
(25 communicants)
The Worshipping communityThose who attend ‘regularly’ in church, care homes, but excluding
weekly Collective worship at two Primary Schools and occasional services at Barnard Castle School
At Barnard Castle 324: (111 under 10; 13 aged 10-17; 162 aged 18-69, 138 over 70)
17 adults joined the community, 25 left (moved away or died). 6 children moved away.
The worshipping community at Whorlton is 14: 1 aged 11-17) 4 aged 18-69; 9 over 70
CommentShortages of clergy in neighbouring parishes account for the small increase in additional funerals
outside the parish.
The Worshipping community number has been adversely affected by the decision to end the Four o’clock
(Celebrate) service.

Structure, governance and management

Members of the PCC are either ex-officio, elected or co-opted by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting [APCM], in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. At its Annual Meeting in 2020 a motion was passed that came into effect in 2021:

As Charity Trustees PCC members are mindful of the Charity Commission’s Guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting was held at Barnard Castle on the evening of Monday 22nd April 2024. The Electoral Roll was reported to stand at 138. From the APCM there were 14 members of the PCC.

Members of the PCC: PCC Standing Committee elected 22.4.24 are marked *

Incumbent & Chair Revd Alec Harding*

Churchwardens
(Can serve 6 consecutive years)		 Mrs Joan Kemp Ambler (elected
2020)		 Mr Roy Long* (elected 2020)
Vacancy Vacancy

Ex Officio: Mrs Frances Stenlake* (Diocesan Synod) Lay Chair of PCC Deanery Synod: Mr Keith Miles Ms Abi Littlefair Mr Astley Fenwick (Three elected places to serve for 3 years from 2023)

Elected Members (8 places – can serve 4 consecutive years)

Carolyn Knott (2021)
Geoff Knott (2021)
Helen Goodman* (2021)		 Liz Burdon (2022) Seonaid Walker-Jones
(2023)
Catherine Wilkinson
(2023)		 Merrion Chrisp
(2024)
Vacancy

PCC Secretary Mr Geoff Knott PCC Treasurer Mrs Frances Stenlake

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Barnard Castle wlth Whorlton {the "PCC") Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 Independent Examinerfs Report I report to the members on my examination of the accounts of the PCC (registered charity 11302791 for the year ended 31 December 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111.the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the PCCS accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 1451511b} of the Act. Independent examinerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. l. accounting records were not kept in respect of the PCC as required by section 130 of the Act- or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2￿8 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come acr055 no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. James Ferdinand. ACA, ￿A Address.. 61 tiOLfinG, &ft7¢/ )Li¥ 6¥T Date-.

The Par¢xhial Church Council ol the Ecdesiastical Parish of Bamard Castle with Whorlton Regi5teredCharity 1130279 Financial Ststements for the Year ended 31 December 2024 Statement of Assets and Liabilities Brwght &)thard 01ffj1.2024 threa1￿0 ¥prec+i 157.462A3 AÈsour(es used 121 173.932.341 1.848ffj1 un￿li￿d depre(￿tk)n ¥Kecarrt￿ forward 31.12.2024 131 IrKomln8fÉsour(e5 111 Total 16237S34 147.754.44 321.686.78 Tot 321.S8S.78 1 S knalyy5 of1r￿￿￿anlI Exfftrture 2 seeknaty￿sDfirf0Me Exper￿lIV Note 4 8,279.98 Pety Cash CBF Oep>stt kcol 13.52 25.298.16 41,719.74 Irtde5ted assets 72.5413fjM 147.754.44 4 WcwreNac(trJM at 31.12.2024 cTroper￿bank 11.706.99 P￿$.. Rec•vabksdue LÈSS". Pa￿ In thrtrfor2DIS Less". PaymÈnts dÈared 8aiitKe ai 31.12.2024 1.460.47 902JJD 4.085.48 8.179.98 Appftsved by the Parochial Churthcouncil and signed on itsbehalf by.. Re%¥1 CarnnAc r￿ry Cllrrrn of PCC The paroch471 Church Cowcil of the ELdewastThl Parrth of Barnar4Cast* wrth Istered CharilyNO. 1130279

The Parothlal Church Council of the Ecdesia5tical Parish of Barnard Castle with Whorlton Registered Chorlry 1130279 Financial Staternents for the Year ended 31 De￿rnber 2024 Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024 2024 2023 Invested Assets Children'5fund Whorfton Pemianent Endowment Designated lexlhurth Cotta8el tlesi8nated (BC MaJor%%thsl CvrrentAccountC(FoperavvÈ Petty Cash knuffies Petty Cash FlowÈrGuild Depo¥t Account CBF Bank savingsaccount Year end amount5due to us 3,721 13,154 22,247 31,572 13,455.56 22,756.20 13.744.71 18,780.57 11.7L 99 Current Assets 21,319 &52 25,298.16 41.719.74 1.460.47 19 25,298 40.593 3,699 TOTAL ASSETS 152.741.92 i￿628 UABILrriES Paid in advance for 2025 Accounts payable )2.rA) 4.15.48 4.165 NET ASSETS Irotal A55ets-Liabllitbesl Startin8 Balance Income less ENwenditUfe Galns/lLossesl on Invesm)ents Closingb￿an¢4 147.754A4 157,463 BALANCE 157.462.83 14L194 -11,557. Ji,102 1.848.61 5.167 147.754.44 157A62.83 The ParochLBI Churthcounciiollhe eccleyastulPansfvol Bwnard CasdÈ WhorflOTr ReE￿[eredchal1ty No 1130279

Ivj J fx rJ wts e1 o O PJ r¥ * X88 88 88-88-8%8.% ?% 0 8 <1 ry*. c c

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bamard Castle with Whorlton Flnancial Statements for the Year ended 31st December 2024 Analysis of Expenditurt continued Unrestricted Desi8n3ted Fund Fund Restricted Total Totul Fund 2024 2.023 Other Expendblyre ChLtrch Running Costs MaintenarKe= BC Mainterance'. whor￿0￿ Church equipment Churth deanir Organ mainienance Prfnting costs Computng Office s¥Jthie5 Photcropier costs other costs 2.027.45 34.80 1,428.00 831.59 3,455.45 866.39 789.71 1,854 35Q 392 25 789.71 756 00 672.77 756.00 672.77 535 432 1,246.91 322.91 21&26 1.465.17 322.91 1.357 206 1.059.28 332.38 2000 1,059.28 725.27 173.95 1.299 1,178 45 19.16 373.73 153.95 Gifts and other payments iotal R￿in￿8 fO5ts 7.262 21 18.16 3￿5 53 10,186 7.674 Utillty Costs Bamard Castle.- gas 8arnard Castle.. dectn(irv Whorlton: eledrldty 3.029.24 3,289.75 1,011.51 687.15 1,994.85 5,711.24 3,289.75 1.011.51 7,866 3,838 859 733050 68?.15 199485 iopi?. 12.564 3,994 23,478.00 30,oC￿.00 10.000 5,539. Maitir Projects Bamayd Casde Window5 for a Kin8 Whortt 6.785.78 16.692_22 30,OCKI.00 5,539.00 ¢J) &785.78 51J31.22 59.DlF. 13.994 Totsl I4￿92.71 7.49109 57.231.60 79.316.40 34,231 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 103,08178 10,203.34 60.646.22 173.932.34 127.946 The par(￿h￿ Church CoLwciI ofthe E<￿e￿tical Partsh ot8arrwd Ca51*wthWIK Repstered Cbafity 1130279

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Barnard Castle with Whorlton Notes on the Financial Statements 2024 l. Basis of Statements. The Financial Statements of the PCC have been prepared under The Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2(K)6 governing the individual accounts of PCCS, iogether with applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Prartice for charities ISORPI FRSIO2. The Flnancial Staternents have been prepared using the accruals an(1 prepayments method. Investments included in the Financial Statements are shown at market Ibidl value. The accounts were 5ubjert to an independent examination. The Independeni Examiner's Report 15 attached to the Financial Statements. 2. Bankers. The PCCS bankers are The Co-operative Bank. 3. De osit Accounts. The PCC ha5 an instant access savings account with the Co-operative Bank. accessed via the current account's dual authority tNJrtal. There is also a deposit account with CCLA Investment Managemenl Lrmited's CBF Church of England Det)osit Fund. 4. Pro ertJ. The PCC owns the Parish Hall. Newgate and Whorlton Village Hall. These 35sets are not included in the Financial Statements. Both the halls are leased in return for fixed rental irscome. Approximate property valuations are Parish Hall1£185.(￿1I and Whorlton Village Hall1£145,(KQl. These valuations are unchanged from 31" December 2(N)9 and were confirmed as reasonable as at 31" December 2015 by Simon Nixon of Addisons. It is considered that these valuations will not have changed materi311y. The Parish Hall is leased to the Parish Hall Association Iregistered charity no.11035361 on a 30 year lease from 2004. The quinquennial Tent increase for December 2024 was postponed pending more widespread discussion of the lease. Whorlton Village Hall was leased to the Whorlton Village Community Association. with a new 21 year lease effected from I" August 2019. The lease provides for a fomiula based review of rent every 3 year5, the rent is currently £590 and the next review is due in 2025. 5. Invested Asseis. These are included in the Balance Sheet at current value Ibid pricel.. a. Children's Fund. The fund is invested in 164.60 units of CCLA CBF Church of England Investment Fund Income Shares. The value at 31" De￿rnber 2024 was £3.806.(M)12023.. £3,720.83. Income is restTitted for use in connection wrf(h work wf(h children. b. Permanent Endowment. The fund is inve51ed in 984.15 units of CCLA CBF Church of England Investment Fund Income Shares. The value at 31" December 2024 was £22.756.2012023: £22.247.001. The income is available for general purw)se5 lunrestrictedl. St Mary'5, Whortton endowment. The fund is invested in 581.92 unrts of the CCLA CBF Church of England Investment Fund Income Shares. The value at 31" Decernber 2024 was É13,455.5612023: £13.154.481. The income is restricted for the beneftt of St Mary's. Whortton fabr￿. The endowment arises from the former Whodton Church RestoratKJn Fund. d. The proceeds of the sale of Church Cottage in December 2015 are invested in 21.811.48 units of the CCLA CBF Church of England Fixed Interest Securities Fund Income Share5. valuè £32.525.28 at 31, December 202412023= £31.572.121. 6. Pett Cash. Petty Cash is held by the Flower Guild and by Smuff ies (for sub5criptionsl and Smuffies (for Its Sele￿ed charity). Monies are regularly banked to the current account. Records of petty cash transactions for the Flower Guild, Smuffies and Smuffies Icharityl are mair&tained in cash books. 7. Poli for Reserves. The policy is to hold unrestricted ￿serveS (to include any Grft Aid tax due but not yet claimed andlor received) of approximately 3 months expenditure (from general funds) to provide for uneven cash flow and for minor bui necessary unbudgeted expenditure. Reserves at thi5 level are turrently held. ParcKhial Church Court<il of the EcclesbaStKal Parish of 8arfyirdCast* wrth wiwnon Re8lStered Charity ND. 1130279

  1. Poli for Pa toEm ees. Pay is reviewed annually, with a minimum rate of payment of the Living Wage Foundation's Living Wage. Em ees and Pens ons. The PCC empw a part-time Dirertor of Music. Employee costs were-. Gr05s pay to employees Employer National Insurance costs Employer Pension contributions Total £6,221.4112023.. £4.616.361 £6.221.4112023.. £4.616 361 There were no pension arrangements for employees and no employee5 qualified for Automatic Enrolment las pay 15 below threshold). No employees opted in to a pension arrangement. The payroll is managed by Susan Peal on behalf of the PCC. For wedding5 and funerals. the organist is remunerated by orkward payment of the organist fee received for the setvice. The Director of Music has first refusal but is not obliged to play at such services. The PCC acts as paying agent and these fees are therefore not included in the 2024 financk41 statements.
  2. PCC remuneration. PCC members receive no remuneration.
  3. Pa ments to Connected Persons. None.
  4. Contracts with Centr l and Local Government. The PCC ha5 no contracts with Central or Local Govemment.
  5. Grants from Central and Local Government. Grants tot311ing £3.913 were claimed from the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. This Scheme makes grant5 equal to the amount of VAT paid on certain specific works relating to the maintenance of the church. The grant was in respect of St Mary's, Barnard Castle. A grant of £11￿)12023 £1(KJl was re￿iVed from Durham County Council towards costs incurred by the PCC in respect of the churchyard at St Marfs, Barnar(J Castle. A further grant of £1.5￿ was received from Durham County Council to fund the purchase of music by the Community Choir and Oiche5tra
  6. Other Grants received. a. Trinity College. Cambridge granted £572.04 to replenish the Restricted Fund available to the incumbent to meet expenses which might not otherwise be incurred or might not be ￿1MbUrSed by the PCC. b. A donation of £ItKK) was received from the Lord Crewe Fund. The Friends of St Mary'5 gave £l,WJ towards the costs of repairing the Dugard window in the South Chancel. d. The Diocese of Durham gave £2.300 towards the costs of repairing the Dugard window in the South Chancel and £4,0(K) towards the cost of the -windows for a King project. e. The Northumbrian Hlstoric Churches Trust gave £5.LKKI towards the costs of repairing the Dugard window in the South Chancel.
  7. Communit Music. The donations in respect of concerts in 2024 are held in a designated fund and used to fund ongoing community music, including employee pay and rehearsal heating costs.
  8. "Windows for a Kin . This proje￿ was run in partnership with the Northern Dales Richard 111 Group and was tompleted in 2024.
  9. Le acies. The PCC received two legacies in 2024 Inone in 20231. £5,(KL) was restrKted to Use in Whorlton Church and £28.085.71 was designated for the next major repair project at Barnard Castle.
  10. Parish Share. The Parish Share offered to the Diocese and paid in 2024 was £71,70612022 £71,706). For

  11. the PCC has reduced the Parish Share offer to £65.IXK). The Pa￿(h￿l Church Countil of the E¢th&astKal Parish of BJrnardCa%*with w￿￿on Re£isteied tharny NO. 1130279

  12. Charit Givin The Smuffies toddler group raised £589.24 for tts 2024 chosen charity. Butterwick Children's Hospice. the Christlngle service raised £198.30 Inetl forThe Children'5 Society. variou5 èvents during the year raised £579.93 for USPG. concerts raised £382 for the Rotary Tru51 Fund. £556.40 for UNICEF and £421.83 for St Theresa's Hospice and the civic Remembrance Service raised £894.83 for the Royal British Legion. A further £5,435.04 was raised for other charities from funeral plate collection5.

  13. Photoco ier. The PCC lease5 a photocopier from Grenke leaslng. There is a separate contract with Mastercopy in respect of printing.
  14. Governance Fees. No costs have been incurred in the Independent Examination of the Accounts or in other Governance.
  15. Gift Aid. 93% of regular givin8 was Gift Aided in 2024. The other 7 % relates to non-taxpayers but part of this is eliglble under the Small Donations Gift Aid scheme. In respert of the Small Donations Gift Aid Scheme. the PCC claims Separately for each of the two churches as Community Buildings. 23.A en Monies. The PCC acts as collectlng agents for certain connected partles and also where monie5 are raised for a specific charity at a Service or event. These tran5aclions are not included in the financial statements. The amounts are set out in the table below- A8encv Amount re¢ei¥ed Expenses deducted Amount paid out Diocesan Fees for weddings and Funerals Fees for verger, bellringers Fees for Or8anist at weddings and funerals Funeral collections and other charity monies 9.151.60 9,151.60 732.1X> 732.00 2.235.00 2,235.00 8.624.14 155.81 8,468.33 24.A countin records. Accounting records are maintained on MyFundAccounting software supplied by Data Developments. Gift Aid and Small Gift Aid data is recorded on Donations Co-ordinator V7.12 software supplied by Data Developments. This software is used to generate and electronical￿ submit the Gift Aid and Small Gift Aid claims to HMRC. Dat3 on MyFundAccounting is backed up by Data Developments. Donation5 Co-ordinator is manually backed up at least weekly. with a security copy stored offsite. The PCC substribes to technical support in respect of Data Developments software.
  16. Review of Financial Controls. The PCC reviewed its financial controls during 2024 and agreed procedures to manage risk5. The financial controls have been adopted as Standing orders of the PCC. The Parothial Church co￿¢11 ofthe Ecde51a5ttsl ParthoIBar￿rd CathwrthWhtr*on Reglstered Chanty NO. 1130279