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2025-12-31-accounts

St. Luke’s Church, Watford

(Charity Reg. no. 1130376)

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2025

St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

CONTENTS

Vicar’s Introduction PCC report Overview of Activities and Achievements Financial statements Statement of financial activities 16 Balance sheet Notes to the financial statements Statement of PCC responsibilities 27 Independent examiner’s report 28 Administrative information 29

Vicar’s Introduction

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12 vs 1-3

2025 was a busy year, thankfully with the staff team being strengthened with the coming of Bekki Hadley our Children & Family Worker in May, and the appointment of John Williamson as our Publicity Officer in September. Then we had two morenew members on the staff team in Simon Trundle, licensed as a Reader in September and Neil Brookes while continuing as our Youth Director, was accepted for Ordination, so became an Ordinand, placed with us. The staff team being strengthened came at an important time as a few staff faced health issues either for themselves or in their families. We also had Clinton Don-Jumbo as Ordinand with us from summer 2024, through some of 2025 until his ordination as Deacon in June, now serving as a Curate in the diocese. My thanks to all the staff team on their hard work through a difficult year and for their Godly perseverance.

Major highlights of the year were:

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St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

Despite struggles, God has continued to bless us in the following ways:

  1. Another predicted financial deficit for the year did not materialise and we broke even despite extra costs on building maintenance etc.

  2. New people continued to join us, many of whom got involved in Life Groups

  3. As well as Daniel, we had teaching on the short letters of the New Testament, Prophetic Words from Isaiah (Lent), the Hard Sayings of Jesus (Lent), Prophetic Symbols from the Bible (Late Autumn), and Meals with Jesus from St. Luke`s Gospel (Early Autumn).

  4. Guest speakers included Dan Gower from Open Doors, Bishop Jane (Bishop of Hertford) for our Confirmation (both February 2026). Veronica and Julie (Taiwan Missionaries), Helen Neville, Curate of Abbots Langley, and in October, the Venerable Charles Hudson, Archdeacon at St Albans. We also give thanks for weekends led by Rev Briony Wood on the Sound of Musings (Music) and Rev Keith Powell on the Prophetic (November)

  5. Prayer half days started to be held every month on a Saturday with 12 people attending over the 3 hours.

  6. Christmas Christingle Service was a particular highlight this year.

  7. Our schools work continues to be busy as we welcomed Year 3 of Cassiobury Juniors at Easter and Year 4 at Advent.

  8. Many of our outreach groups continue to thrive with a very successful Alpha and growth at Toddlers, Breakfast Clubs and Creative Space.

  9. Prayer Visiting: Thanks to those who go out Monthly for 8 months of the year prayer visiting in the Cassiobury Estate. A very positive ministry often well received.

  10. Archdeacon Charles visited and spoke to our PCC in mid-October, visiting groups, school assemblies and preaching to the congregation.

  11. Church Family Meals were held on a two a term basis and Birthday Celebrations with cake was shared after the morning services. This has been a real opportunity to get to know one another and develop our Church Community. Thanks to helpers and cooks.

  12. For the preaching and leading done by our Readers and Lay Leaders of Worship many thanks to: Dave Clarke, Pam Norman, Simon Trundle, Wendy Somerville, Bill Miller and Richard Waddington. Many thanks for your excellent and faithful preaching.

  13. Thanks to Dorothy for her excellent administrative work.

  14. We were very sad when Wendy and her husband Kevin returned to New Zealand and miss their ministries.

  15. Many thanks to Yvonne for overseeing the parish magazine full of interesting articles and church news, and for those who have contributed.

  16. To every one of you who contributes in some way to enhancing the life of St. Luke’s, thank you so much for your service.

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St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

Our Mission Action Plan for next year (2026) will keep the same priorities as this year with a small addition. These are:

Priority 1 To create a strong sense of family amongst our church body, keeping God at the centre of it all and encouraging one another to take an active part in Church family life.

Priority 2 To provide good bridges through our friendships with those we meet in the wider community and to provide more stepping stones into God’s Kingdom.

The Church eating and praying together will continue while we hope to do some teaching on Evangelism in Autumn 2026. We will continue to provide stepping stones for people to enter God`s Kingdom in 2026,

May God continue to bless our work at St. Luke’s,

Yours in Christ,

Michael

Revd Michael Norman Vicar of St. Luke’s, Watford

PCC Report

Aim and Purposes The Parochial Church Council (“PCC”) has the responsibility of cooperating with the vicar, the Reverend Michael Norman, to promote the whole mission of the Church - pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical - within the parish of St Luke’s Watford.

The PCC is specifically responsible for the maintenance of the church complex of St Luke’s, Langley Way, Watford and for the house at 23 Orchard Close, Watford.

Objectives The PCC is committed to encouraging as many people as possible to worship Jesus Christ and to be part of our parish community. Our activities take into account the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit including guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We want to help ordinary people to live out their faith in Jesus every day, encouraging and supporting one another, and being led by the Holy Spirit and fed by God’s written word.

Our Mission Action Plan 2026 was reviewed. We continued our priority areas but set some new specific goals for 2026 (See Vicar’s report)

PCC Meetings - The PCC met six times in 2025 supported by the Standing Committee who met four times.

At every PCC meeting the following items were on the agenda and reports were presented and if needed acted upon: Finance and Safeguarding, confirming Minutes of the last meeting and Matters Arising

Over the year of PCC meetings, the following items were presented, discussed and where appropriate proposals and decisions were made: Many of these items recurred over several PCC meetings.

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St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

Pam Norman PCC Secretary

Overview of Activities and Achievements

Developing and deepening our culture of prayer and worship

Reaching out to our parish, to one another, to our world

Prayer Visiting: Michael introduced prayer visiting at St Luke's in 2022, as part of our first Wycliffe Hall mission. We try to visit homes in the parish to meet, listen and chat with the people who live here. We offer to pray for anything that may be on their minds (anonymously, of course). We visit, in pairs, on the third Wednesday afternoon of each month (during Spring, Summer and Autumn) and then again, the following Saturday morning to try to meet some of those who were out on the Wednesday. The congregation at the Tuesday 10.00am service is a vital part of the team. They always pray through requests we received the previous week. Without them, prayer visiting couldn't happen.

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St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

We write in advance to the homes we plan to visit, explaining who we are, what we're doing and making it really clear that we are not upset when people prefer just to say 'No, thank you'. But people are generally welcoming and appreciative. We all probably feel nervous on Wednesday afternoons as we pray together before going out - but afterwards we usually find we have enjoyed it - and feel privileged to have shared the concerns and hopes of other people. Do you sometimes feel daunted at the prospect of talking about faith? Perhaps this could be an easier way to start? Our numbers have dwindled a bit, so we would really appreciate new people - particularly for Saturday visiting.

Across 2025 we tried to visit 300 addresses. We got no reply at 78 of them, (despite trying 2 or 3 times), but in 117 homes had really friendly conversations, including 94 prayer requests. Early in the year we reached the point where every home in the parish had been visited at least once. As we started re-visiting roads, we have been trying to become more intentional about when and how we follow up. We have gone back to some conversations within just a few weeks. We are noting homes where a personal invitation to a specific event might be more appropriate than just a door drop. We need to find ways to persevere more with those people who are often out. Please pray that we will allow God to make this work fruitful.

Creative Space has had another busy but thoroughly enjoyable year, by church and non-church people alike.

Music at St Luke’s We are always so grateful to God for our excellent team of musicians and singers at St Luke’s Church, and for the life and joy Music brings to our Church family and

community. We are definitely an ‘all age team’, old and young, and even younger, leading our sung worship whether on drums or guitar, instruments and flags at the front, singers, string and wind players. We have an amazing brass team to give us that extra lift with the organ for the big Christian festivals. As ever, we are so grateful to those who lead from the piano, organ or guitar, and who share the load in this pivotal ministry.

We are always on the lookout for new young players and singers, especially any with a passion to learn the guitar, bass guitar and brass players.

Thank you to those in the office who file the sheet music and who put together the ‘Easy Worship’ schedules, so that words to our songs and hymns can be projected on the screens for the congregation. Many thanks also to our unseen and unsung heroes in the balcony on the AV team. Much of what we do would simply not be possible without them.

We have had the privilege of listening to some fabulous classical music at our monthly Sunday afternoon recitals. An opportunity for musicians to perform in our beautiful space in the Church itself. Again, do come along. Many local Choirs and Orchestras also use the Church to put on concerts of a high standard. Notably the Watford Symphony Orchestra and the Watford Philharmonic. These are ticketed events, often featuring young, up and coming artists as they build their careers.

Our Community Choir CanCC, ‘Cassiobury and nearby Community Choir’, has been a wonderful singing community, performing at concerts and in our local pub The Essex Arms as well as after our dramatized Bible readings in Church. Our next concert will have a weather-related theme to it. Do come along, or even better, join the choir!

Finally, thank You to our gracious Heavenly Father, for His gift of Music and for the joy of singing His praises.

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St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

Jeremy Cooke

The Cassiobury and nearby Community Choir (CanCC) continues to meet on Wednesday evenings weekly, and on occasion sing at ‘The Essex Arms’.

Other reaching out initiatives continue weekly with

The Pastoral Group - we are blessed to have a vicar with strong pastoral care gifts. The pastoral care group meets every other month to discuss pastoral needs in the church and to pray for people and to see how we can best support and care for needs.

At Christmas Easter and Harvest we give out cards and gifts to the bereaved and sick. Michael takes regular communion to the housebound. We are aware of our limited resources. We would like to see the church where we love and care for each other following Jesus’s love and compassion.

Publicity: Our church is fortunate to have various ways to communicate with our members and friends, with the Cassiobury estate, throughout Watford, along with the wider area and with anyone worldwide, through our website and social media.

In September 2026, I took on the job of Publicity Officer, which fits well with my work as a graphic designer, website designer and photographer. Since starting the role, I’ve been working on updating the church website, working with staff and volunteers to update their pages and sections on the website. This continues to be a work in progress.

There’s a lot of publicity needed for events such as Harvest, Alpha Course, Tear Fund Big Quiz, Christmas and the 20th anniversary celebrations.

I’m really pleased to be doing this work. I believe that God has blessed me with creativity and communication talent and it’s really good to be able to use it for St Luke’s Watford and God’s kingdom. Publicity for St Lukes is important, but I realise that the best way to let people know about Jesus and the Christian story, is by word of mouth. I am happy to hear from anyone with publicity questions, requests and comments on media@stlukeswatford.org or 0777 999 1551.

Along with the magazine, posters, flyers, banners, church magazine and other items, here are the online publicity outlets:

Public Facebook page: www.facebook.com/stlukeschurchwatford Friends Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/stlukeswatfordfriends Instagram page: www.instagram.com/stlukeswatford Website: www.stlukeswatford.org YouTube: www.youtube.com/stlukeswatford St Lukes page on A Church Near You:

www.achurchnearyou.com/church/19467

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St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

John Williamson

Partners in Mission Highlights of the year:

Children

Holiday club: During the summer holidays, we ran our 4-day holiday club. The theme this year was deep-sea divers, which investigated the life of Jesus. 80 children attended each day, where they enjoyed engaging in worship, fun Bible teaching, games and crafts. To maintain connections with the children and families who attended the holiday club, we also provided a shorter version of the holiday club during some school holidays (holiday club shorts, where we have a 2-hour event on an evening). This has worked well and has been popular within the community. These include: Light Party, Christmas Party, Pancake Party, and Easter Party. It has been great to keep providing holiday club events to maintain connections with the children and families and to continue helping the children learn more about God.

Toddlers: Our Toddlers group meets every Thursday during the school term and is for parents/carers and their babies and toddlers to play each week. We have a story corner, which is a craft activity

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St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

connected to a Bible story. This year we have been doing a book called Bible Bus which provides us with ideas of appropriate activities to do with the children. At the end, while we tidy up the toys, we encourage the families to sit in a circle for some bubble fun and singing time. This is also an opportunity to give notices about what is happening at church and invite them to attend. This year, we have encouraged the children and parents/ carers to come into the church for singing on the last day of each term. This hopefully helps them to feel more comfortable being in church.

Kids club: We continue to run Kids Club on Tuesday evenings during term time for children aged 7- 11 years old. 7 children attend regularly: some who attend church and others who do not. During Kids Club, we have fun games, Bible teaching and a tuck shop. During the Bible teaching, we have been exploring the life of Jesus.

Breakfast club: We provide a Breakfast Club every other Saturday 8:30 am - 10 am. It provides a space for children under 11 and their families to have breakfast, play with toys and do fun activities. This year, we are having more Christian input and have started to do a worship song with actions near the end of the morning. We are now growing this by adding a short Bible talk aimed at the children.

Sundays: Each Sunday during the morning service we teach children in age-appropriate groups and enable them to grow in their relationship with God. Climbers is for children aged 2-6 and Explorers is for children age 7-11. We also have a parent-supervised creche at the back of church for children too young for the groups. This allows children to play while their parents/ careers continue to engage in the church service.

Schools Work: we continue to be involved in local schools. We take Assemblies within Cassiobury and Nascot Wood Infants' Schools. We have also provided school visits for them, where they come with their year group. They go into small groups to different stations around the church to learn various parts of a topic: Christian festivals and about the Church. We have recently created a new link with Lanchester School who visited to learn about Easter.

Bekki Hadley Children and Family Worker

The Deanery Synod

Our first meeting of 2025 was on 19[th] February, at All Saints Leavesden, when Tom Abrahams, the Diocesan Net Zero Adviser, gave a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the subject Carbon Net Zero. This is a challenge to all parishes to reduce our carbon emissions as well as reducing our overheads, by planning for climate change.

St Luke’s hosted the meeting on 25[th] May, when Tom Snell presented a report from the Diocesan Board of Finance. There was an overview of the 2024 financial picture, details of the national review taking place and how the Diocese is planning for the future. The Rural Dean, Revd Peter Waddell gave a review of the parish share for 2025. A question and answer session followed.

When we met on 12[th] October, at St Peter’s Bushey Heath, we were led by Revd Mark Rodel, Deputy Director of Mission and Ministry for our Diocese. Starting from Ephesians 4: 1-16, he facilitated a listening exercise, “Phase 1: Listening together, Shaping Ministry in our Diocese”. Silent contemplation and brainstorming were asked for, with the aim of finding a common statement which we could all affirm.

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St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

In addition to specific themes at each meeting, we are kept up to date with clergy movement in the Deanery and invited to their inductions. Revd Dave Scourfield moved from All Saints Leavesden to be part-time Priest-in-Charge at St Paul’s Langleybury. Revd Canon Richard Banham was inducted as Vicar of St Mary’s in July. There are also updates about the proposed funding of our Deanery for promoting work amongst children and young people.

Our term of office ends in July 2026.

Mary Bowen, Dave Clarke, Mave Clarke, Phil Matthews

Annual Fabric Report 2025

To the Glory of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit this stone was laid on Sunday 16[th] October 2005

“ My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people”

Isaiah 56 : 7

2025 began the job of reviewing, updating and planning for next year’s refurbishments and building improvements to celebrate 20 years of this building being used as ‘a house of prayer for all people’. As reported in previous years, the building needed updating and refreshing, so an appeal was launched at Christmas to raise funds for this purpose. A big thanksgiving celebration is planned in May 2026 to praise God for His glorious provision to us in this church.

As always, we have relied heavily on volunteers to identify and oversee maintenance and improvements, so a big thank you to those faithful servants. Their hard work has made a big difference to the operation of the church buildings during 2025.

Additions to articles appertaining to the fabric of the church:

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St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

Maintenance work carried out during the year:

Health and Safety report for APCM April 2025

The annual Health and Safety inspection was carried out in September 2025 and a report prepared for the PCC. It included recommendations for the repair and refurbishment of the church premises and many of these have been included in the current refurbishment programme to commemorate the 20[th] anniversary of the new church building.

Risk assessments are carried out on a regular basis to ensure that activities are safe and properly managed.

Many people give their time and energy to ensure our church is properly looked after and maintained and our grateful thanks goes to all who care for our church in this way – you know who you are!

Marion Harvey Health and Safety Officer

Risk Management

The PCC considers that the principal risks faced by St Luke’s have been:

Safeguarding 2025

The PCC is committed to doing all we can to ensure that any vulnerable person coming to St Luke's is kept safe and protected.

The care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in church activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the church.

The Parish Safeguarding Officer and Lead Recruiter ensure that effective and correct documentation and procedures are in place and followed. During 2025, they have worked to ensure that new volunteers and staff team members are safely recruited. There is ongoing work to ensure that each person has a period of induction and that measures are in place for their encouragement and support.

They also arrange and monitor DBS and training for individuals with any sort of involvement and ensure that accurate records are maintained on the Parish Dashboard. 6 new DBS certificates have been issued and 27 DBS certificates have been checked using the DBS Update Service.

The Parish Dashboard has a secure Safeguarding Hub with a Role Creator and a People Manager. 96 members of our congregation are now listed on the People Manager, performing a variety of 46 roles within the church. The digital Role Descriptions for each voluntary role have been updated

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St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

for the current year with a preface which states the 2025 Mission Action Plan goals and includes an invitation to prayer. All these details are uploaded on to the Parishes Safeguarding Dashboard although no personal information is recorded.

The PCC reviews all safeguarding documentation annually and regularly receives reports on safeguarding activity. The PCC is in the process of discussing the National Safeguarding Standards for the Church of England.

The PCC considers it has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to the House of Bishop’s guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).

Financial

The church Treasurer has established a robust system of financial controls, based on budgets, proper authorisation of all payments and segregation of duties. The PCC sets the annual budget and scrutinises monthly management accounts, which analyse variances to budget and prior year. At every meeting the treasurer delivers a report.

Structure, Governance and Management

The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England. It operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The PCC is a Registered Charity (No 1130376).

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St Luke’s the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent (our vicar), churchwardens, one of the readers and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral role of the church. All those who attend our services are encouraged to register on the electoral roll and stand for election to the PCC.

The PCC is responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent.

The full PCC met 6 times during the year. Given the breadth of its responsibilities, the PCC has subcommittees and working parties dealing with specific aspects of parish life:

Sub-committees

Working parties

The PCC appoints individuals to be Prayer Coordinator, Health & Safety Officer, Parish Safeguarding Officer, Lead Recruiter/DBS Administrator and GDPR Officer.

All these committees and officers are responsible to the PCC and report back to it regularly. Minutes of relevant meetings are received by the full PCC and discussed as necessary.

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St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

There are two other working groups at St Luke’s which report directly to the vicar:

Volunteers and Staff

A thank you to all volunteers, regular ones, ad-hoc ones, one-off volunteers, Sunday and weekday volunteers! The PCC is hugely appreciative of the many, many individuals who work so hard to make our church the lively and vibrant community that it is:

Whenever we prepare a list such as this, we are astonished at just how much is being done, and by so many. We thank each one of you – and give thanks to God for you.

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St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW AND RESERVES POLICY

Our financial statements reveal that the overall funds come to £949,7k with an increase of £1.7k over 2024. There was a small increase in unrestricted funds in 2025 of £0.2k with an outstanding £1.4k to be paid as last year’s carryover in the Partners in Mission [PIM] giving fund.

Significant items to compare between 2025 vs 2024 results are as follows:

INCOME

EXPENDITURE

We received £3.6k grant from the Diocese for carrying on energy saving measures (installing LED lighting in the church and main hall). Some savings in electricity use are already apparent.

General reserve

This fund handles all the church’s regular income and operating costs.

The church continues to support the Diocese paying their full parish quota which was £115.3k.

Designated Fund

Each year the PCC reviews the value of its unrestricted reserves. In line with last year, an operating general reserve of over £40k is retained. This represents the amount the PCC thinks is necessary to operate in the normal course of events. This allows for income that is sometimes sporadic, whilst major costs are monthly namely for staff, parish quota and utilities and also gives due consideration to the reserves held. Funds which are tied up in fixed assets are held in the Capital Reserve. The PCC decides when and how it anticipates that any additional unrestricted funds will be used and move them to and in the Designated Fund. At year-end the PCC designated funds for future use was £140.9k as follows:

Earmarked Fund

This fund is used to hold and distribute amounts given for specific purposes. £7.3k was received and £5.3k paid out during the year. This included giving £1.2k to TEARFUND and £2.4k towards for Christmas hampers.

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St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

Partnership and 20[th] Anniversary Appeal Funds

Whilst no Partnership Fund is appeal in hand for this year, a 20[th] Anniversary Appeal celebrating twenty years of the new church building was started in December. This is to coincide with 20[th] anniversary celebrations in May’26. The fund has been setup for a refresh and upgrade of the church building primarily in the entry points and gathering area. The fund reached £3.475k by the end of December.

Balance Sheet

Total assets have increased from £948k to £950k.

Approved by the PCC on 29th April 2026 and signed, on its behalf by Michael Norman (Chair of PCC)

…………………………………………………….

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St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

for the year ended 31 December 2025

Notes
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3(a)
Charitable activities
3(b)
Other trading activities
3(c)
Investments
3(d)
Other income
3(e)
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Grants
4(a)
Other charitable activities
4(b)
Total expenditure
Net income before gains/(losses) on
investments
Net gains/(losses) on investments
Revaluation of 23 Orchard Close
Net income/(expenditure)
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total funds
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
232,264
7132
239,396
257,812
83,296
143
83,439
85.734
18,926
0
18,926
17,306
6,662
0
6,662
7,894
210
0
210*
415
341,358
7,275
348,633
369,161
37,302
5,310
42,612
58,374
304,454
471
304,925
288,303
341,756
5,781
347,537
346,677
(398)
1,494
1,096
22,484
585
0
585
700
0
0
0
50,000
187
1,494
1,681
73,184
187
1,494
1,681
73,184
932,782
15,255
948,037
874,853
932,969
16,749
949,718
948,037

*Comparative figures for Funds for 2024 are set out in Note 2

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St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD BALANCE SHEET

at 31 December 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible
6(a)
Investments
6(b)
Current assets
Debtors
7
Short term deposits
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities
(Amounts falling due within one year)
8
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds
Unrestricted
10
Restricted
11		 2025
2024
£
£
750,000
750,000
24,476
23,891
774,476
773,891
15,547
11,228
135,648
160,164
31,997
10,529
183,192
181,921
(7,950)
(7,775)
175,242
174,146
949,718
948,037
932,969
932,782
16,749
15,255
949,718
948,037

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 24[th] March 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Michael Norman Martin Kirk Chair, St Luke’s Parochial Church Council Treasurer

The notes on pages 18 to 27 form part of these financial statements

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St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of land and buildings and investments. The PCC is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the PCC’s accounting policies, the members of the PCC are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

Going concern

The members of the PCC assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the PCC to continue as a going concern. The members of the PCC make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation for issue of the financial statements and have concluded that the PCC has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the PCC continues to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.

Funds

Unrestricted funds represent funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for use for the general purposes of the PCC. The General Reserve holds the liquid funds which the PCC believes are necessary to run the church in the normal course of events; the Capital Reserve represents those unrestricted funds which are tied up in the form of fixed assets; and the Designated Fund contains unrestricted liquid funds which have been designated for specific purposes by the PCC.

Earmarked Fund handles funds which have been donated for a specific purpose. These funds are restricted.

Partnership Fund (previously Thanksgiving Fund) handles funds donated by way of major appeal, to enable the Church to make specific grants to other churches and Christian organisations. This fund is also restricted.

The 20[th] Anniversary Appeal Fund handles donations for the update and upgrade of the church building marking the 20[th] Anniversary of the opening of the “new” church building in 2006. This fund is also restricted.

The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members.

Income

Voluntary income and activities for generating funds: Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC. Income tax recoverable on gift aid donations is recognised when the donations are recognised.

Grants and legacies to the PCC are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement and the amount due.

Funds raised at social and similar events are accounted for gross. Sales of books and magazines are accounted for gross.

Activities related to church work

Rental income from the letting of church premises is recognised when the rental is due.

Investment income

Interest and dividends are accounted for when receivable.

Page 18 of 29

St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

Expenditure

Grants

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC. The PCC has decided to make total grants in the year equal to 10% of the non-specific income to the General Fund. Grants are made to support living and other costs of other charities or individuals who have or have had a personal, established connection to St Luke’s church. The grants are made in support of the primary objects of the PCC.

Activities relating to church work

The diocesan parish share is accounted for when payable.

Fixed assets

Consecrated land and buildings and movable church furnishings

Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the accounts by s.10 of the Charities Act 2011. All of St Luke’s premises, with the exception of the Large Hall (formerly the church), the Chapel and 23 Orchard Close, are consecrated.

No value is placed on movable church furnishings held by the churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal since the PCC considers this to be inalienable property.

All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings and movable church furnishings, whether maintenance or improvement, is written off as expenditure in the SOFA and separately disclosed.

Other fixtures, fittings, furniture and office equipment

Fixtures and fittings are depreciated on a straight line basis over 5 years and furniture and equipment over 4 years. Individual items costing less than £1,000 are not capitalised but are fully written off in the year of acquisition.

Current assets

Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectable .

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks. Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CBF Church of England Funds or at the bank.

Financial instruments

The PCC has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the PCC's balance sheet when the PCC becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the PCC has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Page 19 of 29

St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the PCC’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

Risk Management

Financial risk is managed through budgets and regular reporting of the management accounts to the PCC.

2
COMPARATIVE NUMBERS FOR 2024
Income from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
Investments
Other income
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Grants
Other charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure) before gains/(loss) on
investments
Net (losses) on investments
Revaluation of 23 Orchard Close
Net income/(expenditure)
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total funds
£
£
£
227,473
30,339
257,812
85,052
682
85,734
17,306
0
17,306
7,894
0
7,894
415
0
415
338,140
31,021
369,161
29,772
28,602
58,374
288,303
0
288,303
318,075
28,602
346,677
20,065
2,419
22,484
700
0
700
50,000
0
50,000
70,765
2,419
73,184
70,765
2,419
73,184
862,017
12,836
874,853
932,782
15,255
948,037

Page 20 of 29

St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2025

3
INCOME FROM:
3(a)Donations and legacies
Planned Gift Aided
Unplanned Gift Aided
Income tax recoverable
CAF & Stewardship
Other planned giving
Cash collections & donations
Legacies
Grants
3(b)Charitable activities
Room lettings
Church events
Fees
Other related to church work
Books and photocopies
3(c)
Other trading activities
Rent received from Orchard Close
Fund raising
3(d)
Investments
Interest and dividends
3(e)
Other income
Total income		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total funds
Funds
Funds
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
133,598
0
133,598
141,442
24,191
2,694
26,885
41,982
41,016
684
41,700
47,959
6,675
1,100
7,775
7,775
4,350
0
4,350
4,318
8,834
1,979
10,813
14,336
10,000
0
10,000
0
3,600
675
4,275
0
232,264
7,132
239,396
257,812
70,526
0
70,526
68,415
4,154
0
4,154
8,257
2,412
0
2,412
4,165
6,190
143
6,333
4,848
14
0
14
49
83,296
143
83,439
85,734
18,926
0
18,926
17,306
0
0
0
0
18,926
0
18,926
17,306
7,337
0
7,337
7,894
7,337
0
7,337
7,894
210
0
210
415
341,358
7,275
348,633
369,161

Page 21 of 29

St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2025

4 EXPENDITURE ON: Unrestricted Restricted Total funds
Funds Funds 2025 2024
4(a) Grants £ £ £ £
Overseas work 17,280 2,359 19,639 36,552
UK work 4,030 251 4,281 3,075
Local work 15,992 2,700 18,692 18,747
37,302 5,310 42,612 58,374
4(b) Other charitable activities
Parish Share 115,309 0 115,309 120,953
Utility costs 22,078 0 22,078 25,519
Other premises running costs 56,606 0 56,606 34,205
Youth and children 39,613 471 40,084 36,741
Music director and music costs 27,354 0 27,354 29,200
Administration 30,190 0 30,190 26,226
Church events 1,026 0 1,026 4,083
Printing and stationery 3,370 0 3,370 2,467
Adult groups and outreach 3,875 0 3,875 3,463
Catering 2,571 0 2,571 1,680
Vicar’s expenses 1,562 0 1,562 2,938
Books & bible notes 0 0 0 0
Governance costs (note 14) 900 0 900 828
304,454 471 304,925 288,303
Total expenditure 341,756 5,781 347,537 346,677
5 STAFF COSTS 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Salaries and allowances 54,142 0 54,142 56,051
National Insurance 0 0 0 0
Pensions 3,249 0 3,249 3,328
57,391 0 57,391 59,379

During the year the PCC employed an Administrator, a Youth Director, and a Children & Families leader and a Publicity Officer. None earned more than £60,000 pa. No member of the PCC received remuneration or reimbursement of expenses, except as referred to in Notes 13 and 15. The PCC contributes to a defined contribution pension scheme for the benefit of its employees. Contributions payable are charged to the statement of financial activities in the year that they are payable. The amounts paid during the year are as shown above.

Page 22 of 29

St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2025

6
FIXED ASSETS FOR USE BY THE PCC
6(a)
Tangible
Cost or valuation
At 1 January
Additions
Disposals
Revaluation adjustment
At 31 December
Depreciation
At 1 January
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 December
Net book value
At 1 January
At 31 December		 2025
2024
Land &
Building
Furniture
Fittings &
Equipment
Total
Total
£
£
£
£
750,000
24,946
774,946
724,946
0
0
0
50,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
750,000
24,946
774,946
774,946
0
24,946
24,946
24,946
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
24,946
24,946
24,946
750,000
0
750,000
700,000
750,000
0
750,000
750,000

The value of 23 Orchard Close is based on the PCC’s reasonable best estimate having regard to local market conditions as at 31 December 2025.

6(b)
Investments
Market value at 1 January
Additions at cost
Revaluation
Market value at 31 December		 £
£
23,891
21,887
0
0
585
1,304
24,476
23,891

During the year an investment has been held for the Unrestricted Funds in the CBF Church of England Fixed Interest Fund. The holding throughout the year has been 16,021.53 shares and the value per share at 31 December 2025 was 153.15p (149.12p at 31 December 2024).

7
DEBTORS
Income tax recoverable
Accrued income/Trade Debtors
Prepayments & deposits		 2025
2024
£
£
4,907
3,889
6,886
5,367
3,754
1,972
15,547
11,228

Page 23 of 29

St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2025

8
AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Creditors for goods and services
Accrued expenses
Room hire deposits held
Other creditors
9
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
Fixed assets
774,476
0
Current assets
166,443
16,749
Current liabilities
(7,950)
0
Fund balance
932,969
16,749
10
UNRESTRICTED FUND DETAIL
General reserve
Capital reserve
Designated fund		 8
AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Creditors for goods and services
Accrued expenses
Room hire deposits held
Other creditors
9
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
Fixed assets
774,476
0
Current assets
166,443
16,749
Current liabilities
(7,950)
0
Fund balance
932,969
16,749
10
UNRESTRICTED FUND DETAIL
General reserve
Capital reserve
Designated fund		 2025
2024
£
£
3,002
1,466
4,239
5,871
250
200
459
238
7,950
7,775
Total funds
2025
2024
£
£
774,476
773,891
183,192
181,921
(7,950)
(7,775)
932,969
16,749		 949,718
948,037
2025
£
2024
£
42,092
41,970
750,000
750,000
140.877
140,812
932,969
932,782

The Designated fund represents unrestricted funds in excess of that required to operate in the normal course of events, and which is not tied up in fixed assets. The PCC need to disclose how it anticipates such funds will be used.

The current balance of £140,877 comprises:

NB: For 2025 the designated fund had been split as follows: £54,500 Staff fund, £43,000 energy fund, £38,500 long term maintenance fund and £4,812 Partners In Mission carry-over from 2024.

Page 24 of 29

St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2025

11
RESTRICTED FUND DETAIL
Earmarked Fund
20thAnniversary Appeal Fund
12
STATEMENT OF FUNDS
Fund name
Balance b/f
Income
Expense
£
£
£
General reserve
41,970
341,358
(336,944)
Capital reserve
750,000
0
0
Designated fund
140,812
0
(4,812)
Earmarked
15,255
3,800
(5,781)
20thAnniversary
Appeal
0
3,475
0
TOTAL FUNDS
948,037
348,633
(347,537)
COMPARATIVE NUMBERS FOR 2024
Fund name
Balance b/f
Income
Expense
£
£
£
General reserve
40,884
338,140
(316,942)
Capital reserve
700,000
0
0
Designated fund
121,133
0
(1,133)
Earmarked
10,306
13,338
(8,389)
Partnership
2,530
17,683
(20,213)
TOTAL FUNDS
874,853
369,161
(346,677)		 11
RESTRICTED FUND DETAIL
Earmarked Fund
20thAnniversary Appeal Fund
12
STATEMENT OF FUNDS
Fund name
Balance b/f
Income
Expense
£
£
£
General reserve
41,970
341,358
(336,944)
Capital reserve
750,000
0
0
Designated fund
140,812
0
(4,812)
Earmarked
15,255
3,800
(5,781)
20thAnniversary
Appeal
0
3,475
0
TOTAL FUNDS
948,037
348,633
(347,537)
COMPARATIVE NUMBERS FOR 2024
Fund name
Balance b/f
Income
Expense
£
£
£
General reserve
40,884
338,140
(316,942)
Capital reserve
700,000
0
0
Designated fund
121,133
0
(1,133)
Earmarked
10,306
13,338
(8,389)
Partnership
2,530
17,683
(20,213)
TOTAL FUNDS
874,853
369,161
(346,677)		 2025
2024
£
£
13,274
15,255
3,475
0
16,749
15,255
Gain/(loss)
/transfer
Balance c/f
£
£
(4,292)
42,092
0
750,000
4,877
140,877
0
13,274
0
3,475
585
949,718
948,037
348,633
(347,537)
Gain/(loss)
/transfer
Balance c/f
£
£
(20,112)
41,970
50,000
750,000
20,812
140,812
0
15,255
0
0
874,853
369,161
(346,677)		 50,700
948,037

Page 25 of 29

St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2025

13 TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION, BENEFITS AND EXPENSES 2025 2024
£ £
` Expenses paid to Trustees (Vicar’s working expenses) 4,297 4,199
Expenses paid to Trustees (Warden) 367 196
Expenses paid to Trustees (Other PCC member) 653 258
No of Trustees receiving expenses 4 3
14 GOVERNANCE COSTS
Fees for Independent Examiner 900 828

15 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Grants

Some members of St Luke’s or their family are involved with other Christian charities and organisations. We encourage such people to serve on PCC and its sub-committees because they help keep our prayer and discussion well-informed and relevant - in particular dealing with spending priorities and the financial grants or gifts we may wish to make.

No individual can make spending or giving decisions alone - and where an individual is part of a group which makes such decisions, they are not allowed to vote on any proposal involving a party to which they have a close connection. During the year, St Luke's made donations to the following organisations in which a PCC or PIM sub-committee member has a close connection.

OMF International 3,850 2,000
Watford New Hope Trust 3,700 4,500
Friends International 2,400 2,000
Alternatives Watford 2,100 1,420
Watford Foodbank 1,300 190

Page 26 of 29

St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

STATEMENT OF PCC RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Charities Act 2011 requires the PCC to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the PPC’s financial activities during the year, and its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing financial statements, the PCC seeks to:

PCC members have overall responsibility for ensuring the PCC has appropriate systems of controls, financial and otherwise. They are also responsible for keeping proper records which disclose and explain with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the PCC and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the 2011 Act. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the PCC and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities and to ensure that:

As far as the PCC is aware, there are no relevant examination information (information needed by the PCC’s independent examiner (“Examiner”) in connection with preparing this report) of which the Examiner is unaware. Each member of the PCC has taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as members of the PCC in order to make themselves of any relevant examination information and to establish that the Examiner is aware of that information.

Page 27 of 29

St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ST LUKE’S PAROCHIAL

CHURCH COUNCIL

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Parochial Church Council (“PCC”) for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).

I report in respect of my examination of the PCC’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the PCC has prepared accounts in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

Since the PCC’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across 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.

Gary Howard FCA Howard Wilson Chartered Accountants 36 Crown Rise

Watford Hertfordshire WD25 0NE Date: 1[st] May 2026

Page 28 of 29

St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

St Luke’s church is situated in Langley Way, Watford. It is part of the Diocese of St Albans within the Church of England. The correspondence address is Church Office, St Luke’s Church, Langley Way, Watford, WD17 3EG.

PCC members who have served at any time from 1 January 2025 until the date of this report are listed below. Where a member has served only part of that period, the relevant month of appointment or resignation is shown.

Please note that due to reduction in the Electoral Roll after Revision in 2024 ordinary members of the PCC were reduced from 15 to 12.

Appointed Resigned
Ex-officio
Revd Michael Norman Vicar
Dave Clarke Reader
representative
Susan Miller Churchwarden
John Williamson Churchwarden April 2025
Terry Sullivan Churchwarden April 2025
Elected
Adrian Booth PCC
Ann Macleod Deanery Synod April 2025
Colin Davies PCC
Dave Clarke Deanery Synod April 2025
Fiona Craigie PCC
Helen J Booth PCC
Margaret Forester PCC
Martin Kirk PCC
Mary Bowen Deanery Synod
Mave Clarke Deanery Synod
Melanie Sills PCC
Mo Fasanya PCC April 2025
Olufunsho Oladuji PCC
Pam Norman PCC April 2025
Pam Reynolds PCC April 2025
Phil Matthews Deanery Synod
Philip Meager PCC
Simon Trundle PCC
**Incumbent: ** Revd Michael Norman
**Independent Examiner: ** Gary Howard FCA
Howard Wilson Chartered Accountants
36 Crown Rise
Watford
WD25 0NE
**Bank: ** Barclays Bank plc
High Street
Watford

Page 29 of 29