The Parochial Church Council of Cheltenham St Paul
Annual Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2023
Trustees Report
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Administrative information
St. Paul’s Church is situated in St. Paul’s, Cheltenham. It is part of the Diocese of Gloucester within the Church of England. The correspondence address is St Paul’s Old School, St Paul’s Rd, Cheltenham GL50 4EZ.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a registered charity with charity number 1130330.
PCC members who have served from 1[st] January 2023 until the date this report was approved are:
| oved are: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Incumbent | Rev R Widdecombe | Chairman |
| Wardens | Mr B Booth | Vice Chairman |
| Mr J Platt | ||
| Elected Members | Mrs A Burton | Treasurer |
| Mr N Denniss | ||
| Miss S Hillman | ||
| Mr M Hirst | ||
| Mr A Jenkins | ||
| Mr C Meredith | ||
| Mr S Russell | To April 2023 | |
| Mr D Chatfeld | ||
| Mrs L Constant-Ford | To March 2023 |
Structure, governance and management
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
Objectives and Activities
St. Paul’s Cheltenham PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, Roger Widdecombe, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for St. Paul’s Church and associated property.
A chievements and Performance
Church attendance
There are 101 people on the Church Electoral Roll; this number has changed with some members leaving and other new members joining. There were twelve PCC members until March, eleven until April and ten for the remainder of the year due to the resignation of two members. The average weekly attendances, counted during October, were 83 adults and 45 children, but these numbers increased significantly on special occasions such as the Christmas services. Changes in the risks of the coronavirus pandemic continued to affect attendance at different times in the year.
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Review of the Year 2023
Building upon the start we made in 2022 we have continued our focus on discipleship and continue to grow a culture of ‘next steps’ in our individual walks with Jesus. In the early part of the year we introduced the ‘Grow Circle’, a very simple discipleship tools to help each of us evaluate where are are with Jesus and what season we are in. We have then begun every term with a teaching series on ‘what it means to be a prayerful, Bible shaped followers of Jesus at St Paul’s’. In the summer term we looked at ‘learning to love well’ and in the Autumn term ‘being rooted in Christian community’. 2024 will see ‘being empowered by the Spirit’ in January, ‘engaging in spiritual formation’ in the Summer and ‘moving outwards’ in the Autumn.
We are also actively pursuing what our next steps are as a body, with a sense that we are increasingly ‘recovered’ after the disruption of the pandemic. Not that recovery is total or that we are simply going back to the same patterns, but that we sense it is time to look ahead and receive vision for God’s kingdom in St Paul’s for the next few years. Examples of this would be an increase in prayer, beginning irregular Sunday evening prayer and praise times and planning an Alpha course for the Spring.
The big news of ’23 was employing David Baker as our Assistant Pastor. David has recently finished vicar training and will be ordained in June ’24 as our curate, alongside being our Assistant Pastor. The PCC bravely allocated most of our reserves to pay David for three years and our hope is that over the those three years giving will increase to cover his salary. David is an experienced pastor and has proved his worth in the few short months he’s been with us.
We face some challenges in 2024 with our outgoings being greater than income in 2023 for the first time in a number of years. We also are trying hard to progress the renovation of the creche room and toilets.
Finally, a very exciting development has been the growth of the 12 step programme in St Paul’s. This has been spearheaded by people in the wider community, but using the Herrington Rooms. There is now sizeable gathering each Saturday evening at Cocaine Anonymous and there is potential to begin an Alpha group out of this.
Gatherings
We continued to primarily gather as one congregation on Sunday mornings, with developments in the youth ministry to offer provision for older young people in the mornings as well as their continued Sunday evening sessions. The emphasis is now completely on gathering in-person, alongside recording teaching and sharing this on YouTube.
After a pause of the Monthly Prayer mid-week gatherings at the very beginning of the year, we began holding ‘Prayer & Praise’ evenings on Sundays roughly once every six weeks from July. These evenings have continued since then and are currently proving very encouraging as we seek the presence of God as a congregation.
Community Mission and Care
The Foodbank has continued to be the key vessel through which we seek to bless the local community. Seasonal events such as Christmas Craft Fair and the Holiday Club once again provided key relationship-building and evangelism opportunities, and St Paul’s Toddlers on Wednesday mornings has continued to be a fruitful place for developing relationships between Christian and non-Christian families. We once again received a generous financial donation from a local business during the Christmas period which we were able to use to bless local households struggling with Christmas costs.
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Fabric Report 2023
As hoped, the glass room - often called the ‘baby room’ - project was completed in the Spring of 2023 and has been much used weekly by parents with babies/young children. The room has also occasionally provided a helpful space for smaller meetings and prayer ministry.
The PCC continued to evaluate options for the right next steps in a building project throughout 2023. By September, PCC had reached a general consensus not to pursue a project which would involve increasing the footprint of the church, but instead to pursue a rebuilding of the creche room and refurbishment of the toilets and Herrington Rooms. Therefore, the latter part of the year was spent working with our architect again on new plans, while the PCC continues to discern how and when to proceed with the works.
PCC Report
PCC had one full meeting, in February, before the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in March, and four afterwards, in May, July, September and November.
PCC spent time reassessing building needs and pursuing new options for refurbishments and other works to the toilets, old creche area and also in the Old School. These centred around both pressing practical needs, such as accessible toilets, and visionary questions for St Paul’s, such as to what size the PCC envisages the church community growing.
Esther Caffell continued her role as Safeguarding Officer for Children and Young People throughout 2023, with Roger Widdecombe as Safeguarding Officer for Vulnerable Adults.
Having ring-fenced money for the youth pastor role for three years, PCC have been encouraged not to have needed to use it. Other financial actions included approving the previous year’s accounts and approving the 2024 budget, for which the PCC was confident to approve a deficit.
The end of AFIRM India’s ministry from the UK gave the PCC an opportunity to adopt a new Mission Partner. A new connection developed with ‘Abound’, a Christian ministry focused on education and working in the Diocese of Sambalpur in India, through a congregation member. PCC were delighted to officially adopt Abound as a Mission Partner at the very end of the year.
Finally, PCC once again reviewed the policy on mission giving. We will continue to give at least 10% of unrestricted income to external giving. In 2023, we supported four main mission partners, Church Army/Superkidz (London), Development Aid Nepal, Rapha Medica (Nigeria) and Abound (India). In addition to this, PCC made gifts again to Chris & Abi Arnold in Kenya, International Justice Mission, Christians Against Poverty, The Rock, Salvation Army (local victim care), GodFirst Church (Barry) and Cheltenham’s SPEAR Centre.
Financial Review
On ordinary unrestricted funds total receipts were £208,742 and total payments £229,779. On restricted funds total receipts were £42500 and total payments £22507. Total receipts were therefore £251,242 and total payments £252,286 giving a net result for the year of a deficit of receipts over payments of £1044. Details can be found in the Financial Statements.
It is PCC policy to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds (if possible) to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time. The PCC has funds restricted to the Vestries Building Project, Membership Hardship, Community Hardship and Organ.
It is PCC policy to invest fund balances in accounts that are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
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THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL CHELTENHAM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2023 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT Unrestrlcted Deslgnated Restrlcted Funds Funds Funds Total 2023 Total 2022 Notes Incomlng rnsourcos Voluntary income Planned giving collections.donalions and other giving Income tax recover8d Legacies Activities for raising funds Lettings Investment incom8 Interest and dimdends Incorr* from charitable activities Parochial fees other incoming resources Other 166425 2139 34113 166425 33064 46263 168885 28524 34881 575 30350 12150 1200 1200 1753 2776 2776 794 617 617 1523 897 897 513 T¢)tal r¢c•ipts 208167 575 42500 251242 236873 Resources expended Charitable aclivtties Donalionslgranls to charities Mission and evangelism Parish share Clergy eypenses Church running expenses Churchyarn1 maintenance Cost of raising lunds Runnlng costs Support costs Administration costs Other Major eypendilure Repair5 to church buildings Repairs lo other buildings C8pitsI purchasesladdilions 25670 25670 6817 59920 4663 29822 2496 26622 4904 56000 3457 24276 161 6817 59920 4663 29822 2496 1452 67350 4216 835 24168 2287 91518 9394 1098 65665 9901 5178 868 1504 866 1504 17329 262 17329 Total re8ourcos oxpendgd 179106 50673 22507 252286 192346 Ngt loutgolng) Inwmlng rg$our¢gs 29061 .50098 19993 44527 Transfers belw8en funds -29061 29061 Net (outgoing) incoming resourcgs -21037 19993 -1044 44527
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL CHELTENHAM RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 2023 Payments 2023 2022 Recelpts Payments 2022 Recelpts Notes Mlsslons and Charltles Fund (Deslgnated Fund) Church AThy Superkn'dz Community Tnjst AFIRM India ABOUND Rapha Medica Project Development Aid Nepal Salvation Amiy Victim Care Fund CAP Chellenham Debt Centre Intemalional Justice Mission The Rock Ukraine Godfirsl Church Bary IR&R Gronowl SPEAR Chris and Abigail Arnold (Kenya) Children's Society Donations Tax refunds From PCC General Fund Deficit 2040 2040 1657 1657 3315 4080 4080 4280 500 1000 1500 1000 3315 3315 500 1000 1500 1000 4212 1000 2500 1500 150 1000 2500 1500 150 575 4024 957 19716 1924 24716 379 TotaLs 25670 25670 26621 26621 Contlngency Fund (Deslgnated Fund) From PCC General Fund From Youth Pastor Fund Income Surplus 4345 47429 51784 51774 51784 Tota 51774 51774 51784 51784 Vestrles Bulldlng Project Fund (Restrlcted Fund) Donations Tax refunds Expenditure Surplus 27000 12000 21000 10 11 17329 21671 21000 TotaL% 39000 39000 21000 21000 The Parochi81 Church Council of St Paul Cheltenham Annual Report and AGGounts 2023
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL CHELTENHAM RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT (CONTINUED) 2023 Panents 2023 2022 Receipts Payments 2022 Receipts Notes Community Fund (Restricted Fund) 12 Donations Tax refunds Expenditure Donation from PCC Deficiusurplus 2750 2300 75 2930 1915 180 460 Totals 2930 2930 2375 2375 Hardship Fund (Restricted Fund} 13 Donations from members Tax fundS Gifts to members Deficit 600 150 900 225 2248 4560 1498 3435 Totals 2248 2248 4560 4560 Oryan Fund (Restricled Fund) There were no transactions in either 2022 or 2023. Youth Pastor Fund (Designated Fund) 14 From Contingency Fund Rental received124SPSN} Deposit retumed Salary, Expenses and Rental paid Funds transferred back to contingency Deficit 4800 1264 25003 47429 29421 72432 23357 Totals 72432 72432 29421 29421 The Parochial Church Council of St Paul Ch8lt8nham Annual Report and Accounts 2023
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL CHELTENHAM STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES Unrestrletsd Deslgnated Restrlcted Funds Funds Funds Totsl 2Q23 Totsl 2022 Notes Flxed assets 24 Sl Paul's Street North 250000 250000 250000 Currnnt assats Cash funds N*WgSt current account Virgin depostt fund Shawbrook ICAFI deposit fund COperative Community Direct Accou 15000 60262 40000 75262 85000 85000 80039 149786 85000 85000 6560 45000 85000 4060 5000 70979 Total current 8r¥J deposit a¢UnIS 20000 171241 134060 325301 326346 15 oth•r monetary assets Incon tax recoverable 7872 38 7910 13454 Total other monetary assets 7872 38 7910 13454 Totsl Current a$s•ts 27872 171241 134098 333211 339800 Total assets 277872 171241 134098 583211 589800 Llabllltlo$ utility companies Diocese of Gloucester Ifeesl other liabilities 824 824 515 426 253 Total Ilabllltles 824 824 Ass•ts l•$s Ilabllltlos 277048 171241 134098 582387 588606 The Parochial Church Council of St Paul Ch8lt8nham Annual Report and Accounts 2023
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL CHELTENHAM NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using the Receipts and Payments basis. veable church furnishings hekl ty the churchwardens on special trust for th8 PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are recc43nised but not necessarily valued in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Note Analysis of donations and other giving Unrestricted donationg Hardship Fund donations Community Fund donations Mission Fund donations Vestries Fund donations Non-Recurring grants 850 600 2750 575 27000 1289 2 The 2023 figure relates to donations received between October 2022 and September 2023 indusive. The 2022 figure relates to donations receiv1 between October 2021 and September 2022 inclusive. 3 Analysis of mission and evangelism costs Craft Fayre Mayfun day Children Youth Other mission costs 563 801 2391 2873 189 In 2024 we a150 decided to transfer an extra £5000 to the Mission fund to be given on top of the usual 10% to enable us lo give more generously lo local charities 4 We Increased our Parfsh Share by 70h from 2022 levels. 5 Analysls of church runnlng expenses Discipleship and pastoral car8 Prayer and worship Servery Vicarfs discretionary fund utilrties Hire of rooms Minor capital expenditure Cleaning and materials Serviang and other routine church maintenan 789 2040 900 417 7534 7000 1223 3982 5937 The Parochial Church Council of St Paul Ch8lt8nham Annual Report and Accounts 2023
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL CHELTENHAM NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) Note 6 Support costs are the expenses of the the youth pastor, the children's pastor, the associate pastor and the administrator. Administration costs consist of the employment costs of the children's pastor. youth pastor. the associate pastor and administrator Ilotslling £85.9971. visiting speaker costs1£600) and general administrative expenses1£49211. 8 The PCC has decided lo hdd only wrjrking capitsl (defined as one month's unrestricted expenditure, which in 2023 will be approximately £20000, in its General lunrestricted} Fund and lo hold any surpluses in the Contingency Fund. Every month a regular transfer is made from the General Fund lo the Mission and Charities Fund lo ensure that sufficient funds are available to make mission gifts when required. Followng this the neSSary adjustrnent is made between the General and Contingency Funds. In 2023 we decided il was not necessary to keep the youth pastor fund separate to the contingency particularly because we employed an associate pastor with the same risks. Therefore we transferred the remaining £47429 back into the Intingency fund. 10 A slgnlficant percentage of the veslrfes lax refunds were from gffts glven In the last quarter of 2022. 11 The exp6ndilur& from the vestries fund was on the creche room. 12 The Community Fund was set up to assist people in the l¢xal community who are not church members but are in particular need. It is funded primarily by donations from members bul GE made a large donation this year. 13 The Hardship Fund is funded entirely by church members and is used lo assist other church nKmbers who are in particular need. 14 The Youth Pastor Fund was set up to cover the costs of the nevty appointed Youth Pastor for the first three years. We have removed this fund at the end of 2024. 15 The £2(NJC(J in the General lunrestricled) Fund reflects the kK)licy described in note 9. The £134,060 reslricled funds consist of- £124,001 in restricted Vestries Building Project fund £1434 in restricted Organ fund £7573 in the restricted Hardship fund £1052 in the restricted Community fvnd The £171.241 designated funds consist of.. £0 in the designated Youth Pastor fund £168,294 in the designated Contingency fund £2947 in the designated Mission fund Ther8 is also £170 Wolfson Foundation grant lo be used for window refurbishnwnt h81d in the designated Contingency fund. The Parochial Church Council of St Paul Ch8lt8nham Annual Report and Accounts 2023 10
Independent examiner's report to the PCC ol St Paul's Chghenham I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's Iruslees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination Is needed. It is my responsibility". lo examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act", to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llb} of the 2011 Act., and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent examine8 report My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Oireclions 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 explanatr'ons from you as trustees Conrning any sueh matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequentty no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present rue anij fair view, and the port is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examineffs statement In connection with my examinats'on, no matter has come to my attention.. 111 which gives me reasonable cause lo believe that in any material respect the requirements.. to keep accounting records in a¢cordar¢ce with section 130 of the 2011 Act,. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met,. or 121 to which, in my opinion, ailention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Karen Horwood The Bothy Cleevelands Avenue, Chellenham Gloucestershire GL50 4PY The Parochial Church Council of St Paul Ch8lt8nham Annual Report and Accounts 2023