OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Welwyn And Woolmer Green

2024-12-31-accounts

Annual Report

and

Financial Statements

of the

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

for the year ended 31 December 2024

Team Rector:

The Reverend Dr David Munchin The Rectory 2 Ottway Walk Welwyn Herts AL6 9AS

Bank:

Barclays Bank plc The Welwyn Group 12/12A The Howard Centre Welwyn Garden City Herts AL8 6ER

Independent examiner:

Chris Burton BA, FCA Chartered Accountant 13 Warren Way Welwyn Herts AL1 0DQ

Registered Charity no. 1130415

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024

Aim and purposes

The PCC of the parish has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Rev’d Canon Dr David Munchin, in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, including its pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical vision. It also has the maintenance responsibilities for St Mary the Virgin, Welwyn, St Michael and All Angels, Woolmer Green, St Michael’s House and Church House.

Objectives and Activities

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship in our two churches and to become part of our parish community. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer, scripture, music and sacrament.

When planning our activities for the year, the incumbent and the PCC considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance for charities on the advancement of religion. Primarily, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:

To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of our two churches, St Michael’s House and Church House.

Plans for the future

Our new Mission Action Plan from the last year has highlighted three areas that need attention over the next 3- 5 years. Firstly financial stability, particularly after the high rise in costs in the first half of 2023. A stewardship appeal made good inroads into a projected deficit. It has been decided that an annual ‘giving weekend’ that focusses on stewardship would be a good way to maintain momentum, this happened with good results in May 2024 and will be repeated in 2025. Secondly was a revitalising of our work with children. Junior church is now on a more stable footing with regular volunteers and material. However our attempt to restart CrafTea was not successful due to lack of children wanting to attend. On the other hand Junior Choir has been started again, and is so far going quite strongly with a dozen new members. There are also the continuing Choral Scholarships for older children. Our third aim was to look at starting a more informal service on the fourth Sunday morning. This would be accompanied by a choral service, sometimes Eucharistic on the fourth Sunday evening. This was begun in the autumn of 2024, and has so far proved successful and popular.

Achievements and Performance

Worship and Prayer

All are welcome to attend our regular services. At present, there are 256 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll.

The PCC is keen to offer a range of services during the week that our community finds both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling. Quiet spoken Eucharist services are held on weekdays and on Sunday mornings. Sung Eucharist services are held every Sunday morning and on major festivals. On the fourth Sunday this has now become a well-established Café style service. Evensong services are held in St Mary’s on the second, fourth and fifth Sundays of each month, with this generally being choral on the second Sunday. Services especially aimed at families and young children are held on a regular basis, usually in the more informal setting of Church House, such as the bi-monthly 40-minute pram service. Monthly services are held at various care homes and day centres for the elderly throughout the parish.

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

Achievements and Performance (continued)

Special preparation classes are run for those who wish to get married in the churches and for those wishing to have their children baptised. Baptisms take place during normal Sunday morning services, enabling families to be welcomed by the church community. This is usually on the fourth Sunday of the month.

We have a notable choral tradition, which enhances worship. We have a large and able choir, complete with children and young people, offering an outstanding musical contribution to our worship. Over the past year this has seen further development, not least in the offering of an organ scholarship and various events such as a ‘Come and sing’ Messiah with orchestra.

Pastoral Care

There is a trained team within the congregation to provide Baptism preparation and a team to welcome newcomers and visitors. Pastoral care is largely provided by the clergy, and informally by members of the congregation on an ad hoc basis.

A Memorial service is held annually in November at St Mary’s for those who have been bereaved during past years. This is followed by refreshments and a time for fellowship and support.

Mission and Outreach

The PCC has a policy of making donations to local, national and international charities, mostly through the fundraising work of church members, equivalent to at least 15% of the annual voluntary donations received by St Mary’s. This target was met in 2024 – see Note 4 for further details.

Each year the parish produces 10 issues of the Welwyn Magazine with Woolmer Green, which contains both church and local information. It is sold widely throughout the parish.

The Welwyn Community Café, set up in November 2009 in conjunction with the Welwyn Parish Action Plan Group and in line with the Welwyn Parish Plan, has continued to be successful. The café runs most Tuesday mornings, from 10am until noon, in Church House. Church House also provides a venue for other community groups, such as a twice-weekly sewing and knitting group, a bridge club and a monthly community lunch.

There are many opportunities for Bible Study and other forms of Christian education; the website and the weekly pew bulletin give extensive details of these.

We take a key role as participant and venue in Welwyn Week. In addition, the parish runs a walking group, two book groups, a theatre group, and Saturday Breakfast events, which are open to church and non-church members. We produced a successful pantomime in 2024, which was well attended, entertaining and raised money for a charity. Further details of activities and up to date information can be found on our website.

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

Financial Review

Income

Total income was £241,024, a small increase of £2,625 on last year (2023: £238,399).

There was a 7.4% increase in regular giving to £120,637 (2023: £112,308 ). The Giving Weekend in May highlighted the importance of all those who are able signing up to regular giving, ideally via the Parish Giving Scheme and with the inflationary increase option. The popular monthly Saturday recitals at St Mary’s raised £5,558 after deduction of expenses. We received legacies of £5,254 (2023: £12,417 ) and grants of £250 (2023: £2,750).

Income from charitable activities was £22,992 ( 2023: £19,263 ) and from other trading activities was £27,199 ( 2023: £26,974 ).

We are very grateful for the generosity of the church community – for donations of money, time and talents – all of which enable the running costs of the buildings to be met and the church’s mission in the two communities of Welwyn and Woolmer Green to continue.

Expenditure

Total expenditure was £245,755, a small increase of £1,246 on last year (2023: £244,509 ). St Michael’s House, the property in London Road, Woolmer Green, which was used as accommodation for the curate, was sold in the Autumn following the curate’s move to Codicote. This resulted in a very small loss on disposal of £1,202.

Summary

Overall the charity recorded a deficit of £4,606 (2023: deficit of £5,636). There was capital expenditure of £6,020 (2023 £6,005) . The cash balances (in bank and deposit accounts) rose to £799,698, which includes the proceeds of the sale of St Michael’s House (2023 £169,022).

Reserves

The charity’s total funds dropped by £4,606 to £889,413 ( 2023: £894,019 ). Restricted and endowment funds were £8,169 ( 2023: £8,044 ). Designated unrestricted funds for emergency expenditure and capital for church groups and activities rose to £49,639 ( 2023: £46,004 ), and a new designated fund of £628,236 was set up with the proceeds of the sale of St Michael’s House for the purchase of a new curate’s house, which is anticipated in 2025. General unrestricted funds dropped to £203,369 ( 2023: £214,971 ).

Unrestricted cash reserves (i.e. undesignated money freely available to spend on the charity’s purposes) were £119,249 ( 2023: £120,686 ). The PCC’s reserves policy is to hold sufficient unrestricted cash reserves to cover at least four months' operating expenses, which the trustees believe will provide stability for the charity, and they are satisfied with its current position.

Risk Assessment Policy

The PCC is actively involved in the day-to-day running of the charity. Its members have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have satisfied themselves that systems have been established, or that other appropriate measures have been taken, to mitigate those risks, insofar as is reasonably practicable, but it is recognised that systems cannot give absolute assurance that risks have been eliminated. Training of trustees and volunteers has been provided to mitigate the safeguarding risks associated with young people.

The PCC is aware of its duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to House of Bishops guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults). It has appointed Safeguarding Officers for each church and approved the House of Bishops’ Model Policies for safeguarding of

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

Risk Assessment Policy (continued)

children and vulnerable adults (this is done annually and the policies are displayed in the churches, with additional information). In addition at each meeting a report is given on any safeguarding incidents. No safeguarding incidents occurred in 2024.

Matters associated with financial losses have been identified as a risk too. Because regular monthly expenditure exceeds regular monthly giving income, there is a reliance on one-off donations, legacies and appeals to raise sufficient funds to break even. Please see the above section on ‘Plans for the future’ and Mission Action Planning for information on how we are attending to this.

Volunteers

The PCC appreciates and thanks all the volunteers, at both St Mary’s and St Michael’s, who give their time and effort so willingly.

Structure, governance and management

Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. The PCC members are 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. Given its wide responsibilities, the PCC operates through a number of action groups and committees, most of which meet on a regular basis.

Standing Committee:

This is the only committee required by law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council.

Fabric Action Group:

Deals with the maintenance, repair and development of the church buildings, St Michael’s House and Church House.

Giving Action Group:

Deals with the allocation of donations to chosen charities, both at home and abroad, and is responsible for encouraging parishioners to commit to regular giving, both of time and money, to ensure the well-being of the church and its functions.

Church House Management Action Group:

Responsible for the management, maintenance and usage of Church House.

St Michael’s Meeting:

Acts like an Action Group and deals with all matters relevant to St Michael’s Church.

As the PCC has ultimate responsibility for a wide range of matters affecting the parish, it is important that the PCC adopts appropriate training procedures. Training courses arranged by the diocese are attended by a PCC representative who reports back to the PCC as a body, with any relevant reading matter being distributed.

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

Administrative information

The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006). The Charities Act 2006 removed ‘excepted status’ from charities with incomes over £100,000 and therefore, during 2010, the PCC was required to register as a charity with the Charity Commission; its registration number is 1130415. The PCC’s administrative office is located at St Mary’s Church, Church Street, Welwyn, AL6 9LX.

During 2024, the following served as members of the PCC:

Incumbent: Rev'd Dr David Munchin Chairman
Clergy: Rev’d Christie Gilfeather
Readers: Mr Colin Hull (Deanery Synod Rep.)
Mrs Usha Hull
Mr John Burnapp
Church Wardens: Mr Stuart Westley
Mrs Diane Jenkin
Deanery Synod Reps.: Mrs Vernonne Allan
Mrs Mavis Francis
Elected Members: Mrs Jacqueline Davis
Mrs Joan Shelley
Mrs Georgina Beck
Mr Stuart Jenkin
Mrs Margaret Varco
Ms Crystal Lam
Mrs Elizabeth Hesketh
Mrs Christine Allday
Mrs Helen McKay
Secretary Mrs Louise Hughes
(not a PCC member):

Signed on behalf of the PCC by

………………………………………….. The Rev'd Dr David Munchin (Chairman)

……………………….. Date

Independent Examiner’s Report to the members/trustees of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

I report to the charity’s trustees on my examination of the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees, 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 Trust's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent Examiner’s statement

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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust, as required by section 130 of the 2011 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 2008, 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; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102).

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.

Chris Burton BA, FCA Chartered Accountant 13 Warren Way Welwyn Herts AL6 0DQ

………………………… Date

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Statement of Financial Activities

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Unrestricted Restricted Restricted Endowment 2024 2023
Funds Funds Funds TOTAL TOTAL
Note £ £ £ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies 2a 181,876 3,254 - 185,130 189,888
Charitable activities 2b 22,992 - - 22,992 19,263
Other trading activities 2c 27,199 - - 27,199 26,974
Investments 2d 4,566 - 152 4,718 2,274
Insurance claim 985 - - 985 -
TOTAL INCOME 237,618 3,254 152 241,024 238,399
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising funds 3a 4,921 - - 4,921 2,764
Charitable activities 3b 239,480 - 152 239,632 241,745
Other costs – loss on disposal of fixed assets 3c 1,202 - - 1,202 -
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 245,603 - 152 245,755 244,509
NET INCOME (7,985) 3,254 - (4,731) (6,110).
NET GAINS ON INVESTMENTS 7 - - 125 125 474
TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS 3,254 (3,254) - - -
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
 (4,731) - 125 (4,606)
(5,636)
BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD
AT 1 JANUARY 2024 885,975 2,574 5,470 894,019 899,655
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD
AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 881,244 2,574 5,595 889,413 894,019

The notes on the pages following the balance sheet form part of these accounts

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Balance Sheet at 31 December 2024

Note 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets 6 84,646 717,713
Fixed asset investments 7 5,595 5,470
90,241 723,183
CURRENT ASSETS
Stock 0 242
Debtors 8 7,878 13,412
Short term deposits 744,434 33,123
Cash at bank and in hand 55,264 135,899
807,576 182,676
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING
DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 9 (8,404) (11,840)
NET CURRENT ASSETS 799,172 170,836
TOTAL NET ASSETS 889,413 894,019
FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
Expendable endowment funds 11c 5,595 5,470
Restricted funds 11c 2,574 2,574
Unrestricted funds 11c 881,244 260,975
Revaluation reserve 11c 0 625,000

TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS		 889,413 894,019

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on ……………………………. and signed on its behalf by:

…………………………………………… The Rev’d Dr David Munchin (Chairman)

The notes on the pages following the balance sheet form part of these accounts

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2024

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, together with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) (‘the SORP’). The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of the Charities SORP (FRS 102).

The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention, modified by the revaluation of investments and land and buildings, which are shown at fair value.

The presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling (£).

Going concern

The Trustees believe that the charity’s financial resources and contingency planning is sufficient to ensure the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future, being at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements and therefore have prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis.

Funds

General unrestricted funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted.

Restricted funds are those funds that must be spent for restricted purposes and details of the funds held and restrictions are provided in Note 11. Endowment funds, where the capital must be retained, are also explained in Note 11.

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, or those that are informal gatherings of church members.

Income and Endowments

The following gives details of how and when income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities

Donations and legacies

Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC.

Planned giving receivable under Gift Aid is recognised when received.

Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the income is recognised.

Grants, legacies and endowment income are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt is reasonably certain.

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Donations and legacies (continued)

Donated services are included in income (and at the same time in resources expended) at the estimated value to the PCC of the service received.

Charitable and other trading activities

Rental income from letting church premises is recognised when the rent becomes due. Funds raised by social events are accounted for gross, after the event has taken place. Sales of books and magazines from the church bookstall are accounted for gross, when received.

Income from investments

Dividends are accounted for when due and payable. Interest is accounted for when received.

Gains and losses on investments

Realised gains and losses are recognised when investments are sold. Unrealised gains and losses are accounted for on the revaluation of investments at 31 December each year.

Expenditure

The financial statements have been prepared under the accruals basis, inclusive of any irrecoverable VAT. Expenditure and any related liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation and settlement is probable and quantifiable.

Donations

Donations are recognised when a commitment has been made externally.

Other costs

Governance costs include the cost of the independent examination of these accounts, the costs of trustee meetings and any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.

Pensions

The charity contributes to a defined contribution pension scheme for its staff members. Contributions payable to the scheme are charged to the SOFA as incurred.

Fixed assets

Consecrated property and movable church furnishings

Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the accounts by section 10(2)(a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011.

Movable church furnishings held by the Rector and Church Wardens on special trust for the PCC, and which require a faculty for disposal, are accounted for as inalienable property, unless consecrated. They are listed in the church’s inventory, which can be inspected at any reasonable time. For inalienable property acquired prior to 2001, there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the accounts.

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Fixed assets - Consecrated property and movable church furnishings (continued)

Items acquired since 1 January 2001 have been capitalised and depreciated in the financial statements over their currently anticipated useful economic life on a straight-line basis. All expenditure incurred in the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings, or individual items costing less than £1,000, or on the repair of movable church furnishings acquired before 1 January 2001, is written off when incurred.

Freehold land and buildings

Freehold land and buildings owned by the PCC are carried at fair value based on an open market valuation. Any changes in the valuation are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Other fixtures, fittings and office equipment

Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight-line basis over five years for office equipment and ten years for Church House and church equipment. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £250 or less are written off when the asset is acquired. The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset and is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities. An impairment review is carried out at each year-end and any resultant loss identified and included in expenditure for the year.

Investments

Listed investments are included at market value at the Balance Sheet date.

Net gains/losses arising on the revaluation and disposal of investments are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities. Income deriving from these investments is accounted for on a receivable basis and is recognised through the Statement of Financial Activities.

Current assets

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

Stock is stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks. Short term deposits consist of cash held on deposit with the CBF Church of England Funds or other PCC-approved institutions.

Financial instruments

The PCC has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Accounting for financial assets and financial liabilities’ of the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 2019 to all its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity 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.

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors, 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, when 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.

Government grant income

Grants from government bodies and other sources are received for specific purposes and are recognised in accordance with their individual terms and conditions. Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, which is when any performance conditions attached are met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be reliably measured. Grant income will be deferred if received in advance of meeting performance conditions or if the funder specifically states that the income must be spent in a future accounting period.

Operating leases

Costs in respect of operating leases are charged on a straight line basis over the lease term.

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

2 INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Unrestricted Restricted Endowment TOTAL TOTAL
Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £
2a Donations and Legacies
Regular giving 120,637 - 120,637 112,308
One off donations 3,571 - - 3,571 7,985
Online and card reader donations 11,010 - - 11,010 12,425
“Open plate” collections at services 6,243 - - 6,243 6,765
Sundry donations 4,567 - - 4,567 3,383
Income tax recoverable 33,598 - - 33,598 31,855
Grants received 250 - - 250 2,750
Legacies 2,000 3,254 - 5,254 12,417
181,876 3,254 - 185,130 189,888
2b Charitable Activities
Fees for Weddings, Funerals etc 10,662 - - 10,662 9,087
Choir - - - - 200
Coffee 1,580 - - 1,580 1,166
Church groups and activities:
Arpeggios - - - - -
Bell Ringers 836 - - 836 1,225
Fellowship 465 - - 465 421
Flowers 4,115 - - 4,115 2,205
Parish Magazine Sales 5,334 - - 5,334 4,959
22,992 - - 22,992 19,263
2c Other trading activities
Church and Church House lettings 10,282 - - 10,282 10,615
St. Michael’s House letting - - - - -
Fetes, bazaars and other fund-raising events 8,120 - - 8,120 6,958
Church groups and activities:
Bookstall 218 - - 218 465
Fair Trade - - - - 984
Parish Magazine Advertisements 8,579 - - 8,579 7,952
27,199 - - 27,199 26,974
2d Investments
Dividends and interest 4,566 - 152 4,718 2,274
2e Insurance claim 985 - - 985 -
TOTAL INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS 237,618 3,254 152 241,024 238,399

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

3 EXPENDITURE Unrestricted Restricted Endowment TOTAL TOTAL
Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £
3_a_ Raising funds
Fetes, bazaars, other fund-raising events 4,921 - - 4,921 2,764
3b Charitable activities
Mission giving and donations 8,620 - - 8,620 8,337
Ministry:
Diocesan parish share 126,699 - - 126,699 123,516
Clergy expenses 2,294 - - 2,294 3,146
Church running expenses:
Salaries 14,630 - - 14,630 14,292
Insurance 5,887 - - 5,887 5,394
Utilities 24,060 - - 24,060 29,331
Other running costs 4,248 - - 4,248 3,592
Upkeep of services 7,704 - - 7,704 7,973
Subcontract costs – verger and organists 9,020 - - 9,020 10,175
Church maintenance 9,837 - - 9,837 9,482
Upkeep of churchyard 2,602 - 152 2,754 2,554
Major repairs/replacements - - - - -
Church House costs 3,191 - - 3,191 3,641
St Michael’s House, London Road 257 - - 257 63
Training and Mission - - - - -
Youth costs 386 - - 386 406
Choir expenditure 2,518 - - 2,518 1,752
Depreciation of New Church House equipment 389 - - 389 102
Depreciation of Church equipment 9,260 - - 9,260 8,940
Depreciation of St. Michael’s House equipment
-		 - - - 878
Bank charges 389 - - 389 428
Independent examination fee - - - - -
Church groups and activities costs:
Arpeggios - - - - -
Bell Ringers 576 - - 576 811
Bookstall 376 - - 376 531
Fair Trade - - - - 900
Fellowship - - - - 38
Flowers 3,035 - - 3,035 1,682
Parish Magazine 3,502 - - 3,502 3,781
239,480 - 152 239,632 241,745
3c Other costs – loss on disposal of fixed assets 1,202 - - 1,202 -

TOTAL EXPENDITURE		 245,603 - 152 245,755 244,509

During the year, two clergy ( 2023: two ) were reimbursed expenses totalling £2,294 ( 2023: £3,146 ), relating mainly to travel and other costs incurred on behalf of church ministry.

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

4 MISSIONARY AND CHARITABLE GIVING

The two churches donated £8,620 directly to a variety of charities in the UK and abroad (see table below). In addition, £6,386 ( 2023: £9,583 ) was raised for charities as a result of fundraising activities organised by the churches.

Support of disadvantaged people - UK
Support of disadvantaged people - Overseas
Natural disaster appeals - Overseas
Total donations to Institutions
5
STAFF COSTS
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 Donations
2024
2023
£
£
3,244
3,415
5,376
4,221
-
701		 No. of
institutions/
individuals
2024
2023
12
11
9
9
-
2		 No. of
institutions/
individuals
2024
2023
12
11
9
9
-
2
8,620
8,337		 21 22
2024
£
14,200
-
430
14,630		 2023
£
13,984
-
308
14,292

A voluntary Director of Music was in post and the PCC contracted for the services of a verger and relief organists, who are paid on a contractor basis on presentation of their invoices. No-one on the payroll, nor the verger or relief organists, earned £60,000 pa or more. The average number of employees during the year was 3 ( 2023 : 2).

The church operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is available for all staff to join.

There were no other disclosable transactions in respect of PCC members, persons closely connected with them or other related parties.

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

6 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

6
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

ACTUAL COST OR VALUATION
At 1 January 2024
Additions/disposals
Disposals

At 31 December 2024

DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2024
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 December 2024
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2024		 Freehold
land and
buildings
£
625,000
-
(625,000)
-
-
-
-

-
625,000
-		 Office
equipment
£
6,985
-
6,985
6,658
69
-
6,727
327
258
St. Mary’s &
St Michael’s Churches
Church
and St. Michael’s
House
House
equipment
equipment
TOTAL
£
£
£
37,034
209,890
878,909
2,765
3,255
6,020
(1,378)
(5,548) (631,926)
38,421 207,597 253,003
35,773
118,765 161,196
389
9,191 9,649
(1,378)
(1,110)
(2,488)
34,784
126,846 168,357
1,261
91,125717,713
3,637
80,751
84,646



253,003
161,196
9,649
(2,488)
168,357
717,713
84,646

St Michael’s House, London Road, Woolmer Green, which was used as accommodation for the curate, was sold in the Autumn of 2024. The proceeds of the sale are held in a CCLA CBF Deposit fund account by the diocese, with the intention to purchase a newer property to accommodate future curates.

7
INVESTMENTS
Quoted Investments:
Investments at 1 January 2024
Unrealised gains – increase in market value
Balance at 31 December 2024
Historic cost		 2024
£
5,470
125
5,595
300		 2023
£
4,996
474
5,470
300

Represented by 242 (2023: 242) shares in the CBF Church of England Investment Fund.

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

8 DEBTORS

DEBTORS

Income tax recoverable
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
 2024
£
5,222
1,729
927

7,878		 2023
£
6,595
1,670
5,147
13,412

9 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR


Deferred income
Trade creditors
Accruals
Other creditors		 2024
£
350
387
4,378
3,289
8,404		 2023
£
-
3,911
4,346
3,583
11,840

10 FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

The future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, in respect of other equipment, is as follows:

Payable within 1 year
Payable between 1 and 5 years		 2024
£
1,015
875

1,890		 2023
£
955
1,830
2,785

11 FUND DETAILS

11a Analysis of net assets by fund category at 31 December 2024

Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
Fixed Assets for Church use
84,646
-
-
Investment Fixed Assets
-
-
5,595
Current Assets
805,002
2,574
-
Current Liabilities
(8,404)
-
-
Fund Balances
881,244
2,574
5,595		 Total
£
84,646
5,595
807,576
(8,404)
889,413

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

11 FUND DETAILS (continued)

Endowment fund

The St Michael’s Churchyard Endowment fund is a permanent endowment that requires income to be spent on the grave of Stanley Victor Sales.

Restricted funds

Restricted funds
Fund Purpose of fund– to pay for: Movements during the year
St. Mary’s Memorial
Garden		 New tools and gardening equipment No income or expenditure.
St Mary’s Organ Repair costs No income or expenditure.
St Mary’s Fabric Fabric expenditure A legacy of £3,254 was received which
was spent on the new pathway lighting

Designated funds

Designated funds

Fund		 Purpose of fund– to pay for: Movements during the year
St Mary’s Reserve Fabric expenditure and emergency
works		 £628 received from the Community
lunches was spent on maintaining the
fabric of the church.
Curate’s House
(formerly St Michael’s
House)		 Fabric expenditure and emergency
works		 £257 was spent on repairs and utility bills
whilst the house was unoccupied.
Curate’s House
purchase		 For purchase of new property £628,236 is being held from the sale of St
Michael’s House.
St Mary’s commission
for altar frontals and
vestments		 Commission using the John
Sainsbury legacy		 No income or expenditure.
Youth Youth work £468 was spent on the Urban Saints
programme and St Mary’s Summer club.
St Mary’s Music Music and choir expenses £6,470 was received (£5,558 Saturday
recitals and £912 choir donations); £2,305
was spent on new hymn books and choral
scholars.
The remaining
designated funds		 To provide working capital for
various church groups and activities		 See 11c Funds balances and movements
for the year.
The Bookstall designated fund was closed
at the end of the year following the
closure of its Barclays bank account and
the decision to reduce the bookstall
activities.

11 FUND DETAILS (continued)

11c Funds balances and movements for the year

Fund Name Opening Balance
1/1/24		 Movements during the year Movements during the year Movements during the year Closing balance
31/12/24
In
3 236		 Out
0		 Transfers
(628 236)		 Investment
gains
0
REVALUATION RESERVE
St. Michael's House, Woolmer Green 625 000 (0)
152 (152) 0 125
ENDOWMENT FUND
St Michaels Church Yard (Sales Grave Trust) 5 470 5 595
492
2 082
0		 0
0
3 254
3 254		 0
0
0
0		 (3 254)
(3 254)		 0 492
2 082
0
RESTRICTED FUNDS
St. Mary's Memorial Garden
St. Mary's Organ
St Mary's Fabric
TOTAL RESTRICTED FUNDS
2 574 2 574
18 350
9 018
3 600
1 565
5 008
0
245
4 353
243
269
3 353
46 004
214 971
260 975		 628
0
0
0
6 470
0
836
218
4 115
13 913
26 180
208 202
234 382		 (628)
(257)
0
(386)
(2 305)
0
(576)
(376)
(3 035)
(3 502)
(11 065)
(234 538)
(245 603)		 628 236
0
(50)
(85)
(1 000)
(10 345)
616 756
14 734
631 490		 0
0
0		 18 350
8 761
3 600
1 179
9 173
628 236
245
4 563
0
349
3 419
677 875
203 369
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
Designated:
St. Mary's Reserve
Curate's House (formerly St. Michael's House)
Commission for altar frontals and vestments at
St. Mary's
Youth
St Mary's Music (formerly Choir)
Curates's House Purchase
Designated for church groups and
activities:
Arpeggios Hand Bell Ringers
St. Mary's Bell Ringers
St. Mary's Bookstall
St. Mary's Flowers
Parish Magazine
Total designated
General unrestricted
TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS*
881 244
CHARITY'S TOTAL FUNDS 894 019 241 024 (245 755) 0 125 889 413

*** General unrestricted fund breakdown**

*** General unrestricted fund breakdown**
Opening Balance
1/1/24		 Closing
Balance
31/12/24
Cash 120 686 119 249
Fixed assets(net book value) 92 713 84 646
Debtors 13 412 7 878
Liabilities (11 840) (8 404)
TOTAL 214 971 203 369