THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S, EASTROP, BASINGSTOKE Registered Charity Number 1130650 Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council For the year ended 31st December 2023 Independent Examiner Chaweevan Williams FCCA Verdant Accountants Limited 20-22 Wenlock Road, London N17GU ST MARY'S EASTROP PCC TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT Aim and purpose The primary objective of the Parochial Church Council IPCCI is the promotion of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of Enuland. The PCC (Powers) Measure 1956 states that the work of the PCC should include co-operation with the minister in promoting in the parish the whole m7ssion of the Churchi pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenTcal. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the effective operation and maintenance of the old church and later additions, including the auditorium. These comprise St Mary's Church Centre. Objectives and activities The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at St. Mary's. When planning our activities we have considered the Charity Commission'5 8U7dance on public benefit, and in particular, the supplementary gu7dance on charities for the advancement of religion. St Mary's has further developed a statement of purpose: St Mary's aims to be a 7 day a week church for all ages In our teaching we aim to be biblically orthodox and relevant to the issues we face in life today. In our fellowship we aim to be wam?, caring and supportive, growing in both quality and quantity. In our worship we aim to be vital, contemporary and culturally relevant - prayer based and cross-centred. In our mission we aim to be comprehensive, cornpassionate and evangeli5Lic with a global as well as local interest. All supported by the necessary facilities, finance and organisation. To fac71itate this, it is important to ensure the continued maintenance of the fabric of the ChLtrch Centre. The landscape of the church's year St Mary's continLed to offer Sunday morning and evening services and weekday and evening activities for both adults and children. New meTnbers have joined the church, and this has been very encouraging. Morning services have continued to be ITve streamed and have been viewed by around 64 devices per week with a peak of 180 for the Bapt?sm and Confirmation Service in October. The m7nistry staff team has been auqrnented during the year with the appointment of an Operations DFrector. Our Ministry Trainee finished her term and a new Gap Year Ministry Trainee started in September 2023. The Music Minister left his post in December 2023 and consideration will be given in early 2024 on recr-uitment for a replacement. ST MARY'S EASTROP PCC TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT The PCC has been mindful of the wider Church of England direction regarding the Bible's teaching on morality and ethics, St Mary's firmly holds to the orthodox teachirig of the Church of England and sought to understand the Bishops, position by inviting the Bishop of Basingstoke to its JanLtary meeting. During the course of the year, the PCC resolved to withhold part of its 2023 contribution to the Common Mission Fund, until the position became clear. This continues to be unclear and the PCC will address the distribution of these retained funds in 2024. The Electoral Roll was recorded at 336 adults and 2 chlldren, total 338. Achievement and performance Wor5hTP and Prayer During 2023 there were 11 baptism5, one wodding. There was one funeral at the church, 1 funeral at the crematorium, 3 committals at the crematoriurn followed by thanksgiving services at church, one funeral and burial at the cemetery. There was a Baptism and Confirmation Service in October 2023 conducted by the Blshop of Basingstoke. The church continued to have both morning and evening services, which had attendances of approximately 212 adults and 46 under-16s in the morning service and 92 adults and 6 under-16s in the evening service. There is Bible toaching provision for children 0-14 years during the moming services, and for 14-18's and 18 to mid-30's after the evening services. Preaching was shared between Rob Phillips, Tom Woodbridge, local and V7siling clergy and a number of lay members. In addit7on to the Sunday services, the PCC is keen to ensure that there are other means whereby church members can meet and grow in their faith. Housegroups proi'ide an opportunity for small groups to study the Bible together. There are 22 housegroups which meet at least twice a month. Almost all housegroups are in person, with two remaining on Zoom. In February the programme of mldweek meetings was reformatted. The twice.monthly prayer meetings I"Midweek"} were replaced with a monthly whole church news and prayer meeting I'central") and a monthly topical teaching evenTng {"Equip"}. The initiative has seen a considerable increase in engagement with an average attendance of100 at Central and Equip, there is no direct comparison but in last year's report we reported an average attendance of 50 for midweek prayers. An annual Prayer Dlary 15 produced to fac71itate church members in prayer for the church, parish and wider local, national and worldwide community. Other regular study group5 which met during 2023: ST MARY'S EASTROP PCC TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT Focus women's Bible study group in the daytime and one new evening group Men'5 reading group - Saturday morning Wornan Academy 16-18 year-old girls Man Training - 16-18 year-old boys Connect - 18-mld 30's Christianlty Explored Hope Explored Discipleship Explored Deanery, Diocesan and General Synod Five members of the PCC plus three clergy sit on the Deanery Synod, two PCC members and the Rector sit on the Diocesan Synod, and one PCC member is an elected member of General Synod. This representatioii provides the PCC with important links between the parish and the wider structure of the Church of England. The Church Centre Complex The PCC wants the Church Centre to be available to our community, The Church Centre is generally opon during the week from 9:30am to 12.30pm with telephone contact until 3pm. There has been a change of staff in the office with one person returning from maternity leave, one person rejoining ttrie team, and volunteers helping on Fridays. Outreach to the local community is a key role of the church. There are around 350 additional names in other weekly registers which include Youth and Children's groups, Lunch Club, Parent & Toddler5 and others. These weekday groups for both younger and older members of the community provide a valued service in their own right, but we also hope and pray that they might be a way into the spiritual life of the church. Children's and youth groLJPS meeting during the week: Whizz Kidz - years R-2 ACE - years 3-6 Engage - years 7-9 Unite - years 10-13 Other regular weekday or weekend activities include: Lunch club) parent and toddler group, football, craft group, games morning, Link Up> Welcome Space. The bookstall continued to order resource5 for groups and individuals. From December 2022, St Mary's participated in the national initiative, Warm Spaces, which provides a safe and warm environment for members of the church family and the community to enjoy a warm place to chat with hot ST MARY'S EASTROP PCC TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT drinks and cake. This was continued throughout 2023 under the name of Welcome Space. As part of welcoming new people to the church, we ran a number of Welcome Teas. Occasional courses for those new to St Mary's, marriage preparation, parenting courses, small group leadership and preaching workshops are also run from time to time. An informal English conversation class started in November for new members wliose first language is not English. bereavement course is planned for early 2024. The activities within the Church Centre are only possible because of the background work of support services provided by others. There are over 175 members who are parl of various tearns and others who have no official title, who serve, and are appreciated by u5 all. Social media activity during 2023 was beneficial in advertising for both advent publicity and church services. Pastoral Care The Rector, Associate Minister for Women, Curate and Pastoral Coordinator ensure that where people are unable to attend church due to sickness or age they are visited or telephoned, depending on medical vulnerability. The Pastoral Coordinator ensures that where church members are in need they rece?ve support and guidance. Where they were not able to access the servlces on17ne, or do not have email, they have been delivered tFie weekly notices and song sheet. Safeguardlng The PCC confirms that it has due regard for the House of Bishops. guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The PCC'S safeguarding policy is up to date and in use. DBS checks arc up to date for all necessary people, The PCC reviews safeguarding as a standing itern at each PCC, Over the last year the PCC has appointed two new parish safeguarding officers, Dr Catherine de Mars and Mr. Aaron Webb, to assist staff members and provide external support and oversight in the area of safeguarding in our church. St Mary's uses a Winchester DioceseAudit tool to assist its compliance with all areas of safegLtarding policy and practice. MT55ion and Evangelism We are actively involved in the Anglican Church Worldwide and in 2023 had ongoing links to church plants, new curacy placements, and Christian workers in the UK and a number of other countries Including Argentina, Australia, Chile, Kenya and South Africa. We had visits from some of those whom we support and Zoom interviews at our midweek Central prayer meeting. Holiday@St Mary's was run for over 60s or three days. it was well received and 90 people attended. A commTtted team of volunteers helped run Holiday Club and 130 children from school years R to 6 were able to attend. We also ran a Christrllas ST MARY'S EASTROP PCC TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT Nativity Extravaganza Fn December which attracted around 180 adults and children. We delivered twj newsletters to the parish, in May and November, giving information about the church and its activities, Holiday Club for chi Idren and the Christmas activities. About 12 times a year, the Open the Book teafll leads assemblies at three local schools including Rucstall which is in our parish. For the third year, St Mary's ran an outdoor carol service, which was held in Eastrop Park for the first time. This involved a team of 25 volunteers and attracted approximately 250 visitors. In addition, a team of carol singers went around the parish on a Saturday evening and resident5 came out of their homes to listen and engage with the group. A group of carol singers also went to Austen Lodge retirement apartments for the first time. Regular courses of Christianity Explored, Hope Explored and Disciplesh7P Explored are offered to both church members and guests. Ecumenical Relationships SI Moi y's 15 il ITieinber uf Oiie Church, Ba5ingstoke and takes part in joint events. Individual members are involved in the Food Bank, Town Centre Chaplaincy and Open the Book schools, team. The Future The PCC Is keen to ensure that the current range of activities is maintained where they are needed and are of benefit to the church and the community, and it is important that other opportunities continue to be sought. The church is attentive to increases in utilities costs and began to review and better control energy usage across the Church Centre in 2023. Where new lighting is required, it is tEing moved to more cost-effective LED installation. Financlal Review The salaries of most of St. Mary's staff are paid by the St. Marvs Christian Workers Trust {CWTI. This 15 a separate, independent CIO {Charitable Incorporated Organisationl (Charity No 11868791 which was established for the advancement of the Christian re17gion, in particular, by Supporting or paying the salary of Christian workers both in the UK and internationally, and by providing accommodation for Christian workers. The amount paid by the is shown in the PCC General Fund as both Income and Expenditure, so there is no Impact on the results for the PCC. Details are also included in Note 4lal. The arnounts involved are 2023 £186,408 12022: £144,302). The reason for the significant increase was due to annual increments, two new employees in 2022 beirbg in place for 2023 and a new senlor member of staff being recruited in early 2023. The comments below relate to the PCC and exclude the CWT funded costs above. ST MARY'S EASTROP PCC TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT Discretionary Fund. During 2023, £35,594 of Combined M75sion Fund payments to the diocese were deferred and transferred to a Discretionary Fund. As noted above, the PCC will addres5 the distribution of these retained funds in 2024. This deferred expenditure ha5, in the analysis below, been treated as if it were 2023 expenditure to make the comparison with 2022 more meaningful. The PCC General Fund had income of £201,773 {2022: E186,727) and expenditure of £182,606 12022: £183,391) which, after depreciation charges of £4,722 (2021: £2,420) resulted in a surplus of £14,445 (2022: £9161. Resources from Donors Note 2{al. Following two years without an appeal for extra giving, a general appeal was made in November 2022 and approximately £4,000 was received before that year-end. The response vias very generous and overall giving in 2023 increased by 14%. The November 2023 Giving Day did not appeal for increased giving for 2024, but the ongoing requirement for new giving to replace that lost when church members either moved away or their circumstances changed was stressed. Investment Income. Note 2lb) This increased from £1070 in 2022 to £4,413, maiiily due to the prevailinq interest rates. Income from Charltable and Anclllary Trading Note 2lcl. This was broadly in line with 2022 with the exception that a residential women's weekend was not held in 2023. Activitie5 Directly to the Working of the Church Note 3lal. The main differences to 2022 were the increased payroll costs and the deferred CMF expenditure already noted. The unit price5 for Ga5 and Electricity increased due to global circumstances and new 3-year contracts were put in place ending September 2025 at the best rates available. addition, the installation of monitoring controls in sorne areas in Jan 2023 allowed better management of these heating systems with costs reduced by approximately £2,500. The Building Fund giving, and tax recovered was £2,437 12022: £3,283). During the year £7,37512022: 13,748) was spent on building maintenan:e. A total of C28,461 {2022: £5,644) was capitalised in replacing the annex roof and boiler. Reserves Pol7cy The PCC has a policy to maintain a balance of General Fund net current assets, excluding book stock, of approximately 6 months of annual expenditure. The net current assets of the unrestrlcted fund5 £180,062 (excluding book stock of £10,988) at the year-end represents 12 months of ST MARY'S EASTROP PCC TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT 2023 annual expenditure, which expenditure Is lower than 2022 because of the deferred sum of £35,594 12022: 8.4 months). Reserves are held as a buffer against changes such as future reduction in levels of giving and increased costs. The PCC considers that in this time of uncertainty and higher inflation, the level of reserves held 15 both reasonable and prudent. The Building Fund is restricted to building projects and the maintenance of the church buildings, includ?ng the Church Centre Complex. The fund benefited from a legacy of approximately £90,000 in the two years to 2008 when the level of annual giving was E25,000. Since then, giving to the fund has been discouraged and the annual amount is now less than £3,000. The net current assets in the Building Fund were E45,719 at the year-end. The Church of England routine quinquennial building inspect70n was not undertaken during 2023 and should now be done in 2024. ThTS could result in the requirement for maintenance to be undertaken, which could reduce reserves significantly. It is the policy of the PCC to invest reserves in the Central Board of Finance, Church of England Deposit Fund which is 'AAAf'/'S1' rated by Fitch Ratings. Risk Management The PCC maintairls policies to mitigate identified risks. All policies include a "review by. date and a log is maintained to ensure they are reviewed timely by the PCC and kept up to date in accordance with good practice. Structure, Governance and Management The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The PCC is a charity Iregistered number 11306501 registered with the Charity Cornmission. The appointment of PCC members is governed by the Synodical Government Measure: Church Representation Rules. All Christians attending the church are encouraged to re8lSter on the Electoral Roll enabling thein to vote at tlie APCM and to stand for electioii to the PCC. The PCC met ten tTmes during 2023, with an average 85% attendance, with the key aims as follows: To receive reports on the operations and activities of the various groups operat?ng within St Marys. To revlew the state of finance5 and approve planned expenditure. To revirlw current facilities, manage them and plan future developments. ST MARY'S EASTROP PCC TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT To monitor, review and define policy for existing and planned future activities. To pray for the general life of the church. There was also a five year strategy initiative to consider how the PCC might best deploy resources for its mission over the next five years. The PCC participated in tNo Saturday meetings, and there is a further one planned for early 2024. The PCC has a Standing Committee comprising the Rector, two Churchwardens and two elected members, whose responsTbilities are to.. Tran5acL the business of the PCC between its meetings, excluding decisions requ?ring the passing of a resolution by the PCC. Consider policy matters and make recommendations to the PCC. (The approval of policies remains the respon5ibilTrty of the PCC). Consider fabric and building need5, making proposals to the PCC. Actively assist the Rector in the consideration, developTnent, and planning of the strategic priorities of the church as it fulfils its rnission before formal input and approval from the PCC. Act on behalf of the PCC in matters of urgency or emergency. (Any such decision must be reported to the PCC). The Churchwardens and Rector are responsible for the day-to-day managernent of the Church within the overall policy established by the PCC and carried out by the clergy, staff and a host of volunteer5. Reference and Admfnlstrative Information St Mary's is the parish church for Eastrop Parish, Basingstoke, Hampshi re, in the Diocese of Winchester. The full name of the charity is The Parochial Church Council of the EcclesTastical Parish of St. Mary's Ea5trop J Basingstoke, with a working name of St. Marys Eastrop PCC. The church is located in Goat Lane and the full postal address is St Mary's Church, Goat Lane, Eastrop, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 7PZ. Any correspondence should be directed to the Church Office at the above address. The Church Office can a150 be contacted by telephone on 01256 464249 between the hours of 9:30am to 3:00pm Mondays to Fridays. Information is available on www.stmarvs.basin stoke.or Members of the PCC are either ex-officio orelected by theAnnual Parochial Church Meeting {APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules and are Trustees of the charity. PCC members who served at any time from 1st January 2023 to the date the report was approved are: Clergy (Ex officiol Rob Phillips Diocesan and Deanery ynod aroline West Deanery Synod om Woodbridge Deanery Synod ST MARY'S EASTROP PCC TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT hurchwardens lelected annually) olin Barton PCC member then hurchwarden from rch 2023 effersDn Lynch Deanery Synod and Churchwarden until arch 2023 Rupert Webster eneral Synod ulie Maxwell Diocesan and Deanery ynod CC Deanery Synod epre5entatives am Baker avid Elkin PhilTP Hioms Diocesan Synod lex Hurdle Deanery Synod until arch 2023 athryn Key oe Tebbs lected members olin Barton o March 2023 teve Berktley rom March 2023 li Bowen from March 2023 onaihan Collins rom May 2022 risti Daniels rom March 2023 hris Fry to March 2023 Hayden Jenkins rom March 2023 listair Maxwell rom May 2022 im Robinson rom May 2022 ricia Rose From May 2022 at Rundle rom March 2023 Nigel Sm7th rom May 2022 Ruth Williamson rom May 2022 oopted Henna Wong rom March 2023 Ruth Williamson performed the duties of PCC Secretary. 10 ST MARY'S EASTROP PCC TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT The PCC banks with the National Westminster Bank, Basingstoke Branch, 3 London Street, Basingstoke, RG2 7NS and also has accounts With CAF Bank Online. The PCC does not have any other formal advisers, legal or otherwise. However, where the PCC considered it appropriate, such advice would be sought. Approved by the PCC on the 19 March 2024 and STgned on their behalf by the PCC Chairman, Rev Rob Phillips ST MARY'S EASTROP PCC TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT Independent Examiner's Report to the membersltrustees of St Mary's Eastrop Parochial Church Council I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2023 which are set out on pages 13 18. Respective Responsibilitie5 of the PCC and the Examiner. The charitls trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charitls trustee5 consider an audTt is not required for this year Llnder section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under sectTon 145 of the Charities Act: to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners section 14515)Ibl of the Charities Act. and.to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement My examination wa5 carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commi55ion. An examTnation includes a review of the accounting documentation kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with these records. It also includes considerati(M of any unusual items or disclosures Fn the accounts and seeking explanations from the management committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fairf. view, and the report is liinited to the matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examlner's Statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with s. 130 of the Charities Act. and to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the CharTties Act have not been met. or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed Date 12 April 2024 Chaweevan Williams FCCA Verdant Accountants Limited, 20-22 Wenlock Road, London N17G 12 ouo ** PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY'S, EASTROP BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2023 2023 2022 Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible Fixed Assets 888,535 886,530 888,535 B86,530 CURRENT ASSETS Stock 10.988 11,575 221.864 11,087 6,492 211,763 DÉbtors Cash al bank. shorl term dèposit and in hand 244,427 229,342 LIABILITIES Amounts falling du8 wllhln one year 16,3111 {7,4301 NET CURRENT ASSETS 238,116 221,912 LIABILITIES Falllng dua in more than one year TOTAL NET ASSETS 1,126,651 1,108,442 PARISH FUNDS Unreslricled General Fund Unrestricted - Discr&lionary Fund Capital - Property Fund Reslricled - Building Fund 172.815 35,594 148,587 769.655 158.37Q 152,128 797,944 1.126,651 Approved by the PCC on U)e 1910312024 and signed on its behalf by= 1.108.442 Rev Rob Phillips The notes on pages 15to 19 form part ol these accounts PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY'S, EASTROP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For Ihe year ended 31st D&¢8mber 2023 I ACCOUNTWG POLICIES The slaiemÈni8 have beeTrprep9r￿d pn aceord3rte*ith the Accotsniino and Repartiw byChgrdig5." olReCommÈnded Pract￿• io Ctianlis5 prep￿ri￿ ￿e1rac40uThI5 In acc￿￿anCe￿1h thè Fin￿r￿al RBp)rling spplieablè Sn Ihe UKAr Rtspu￿￿ ol Irdano {FRS T021- IChEiity SORP IFRS10211 and Ihe chai11￿5 2Q11. The PCCcon5hlvlo8 a w￿￿b@￿arlI a5 dofThd byFRS 102. The fmanclal sialernents have bEen prèp818d Iho hrsknic4 ¢o$i ¢onv*nUw. Thè arxxwnis are prepar8LI ID ￿[￿1& Sterting. whkh L% alsotho fun￿￿n￿l cufretwotlh&PCC. fLkndsryamounts kn Ihese Afe rounde& IQ Iho n&ar6St tl. $t8ied oth&Mke. Theiè$ra no Ma￿rial uncertainties abolth IhvGh8rill5 abiliiyi0￿Trtlnu8 operaling. Tho ollt* COV￿ pand8mlc h8ve18rgdybee tTrlrgat&d berAU58 oflh& nalu"è Ollhe a¢iwitie8 of Sl M¥¥sand Ih&generou$ tnadè byparlshioners in bolh finanoal resouices dLYlWJ Ihe pwK¥l. Thè PCCoperaLeB lour8eparat8 funds. The G4n8ra F￿d rBpips•ni$ihè lur￿5 of the PCCth41 rbot $ubj6Ct to anyrestriciions reyaidiw lh￿1 vse and ar9 av?ilabb knr app￿¢81￿￿ iTrD the g(•Èral p￿r￿SeS of Ihe KC. Funds de84gnaied for È partleulhrpwpose by Ihe PCC alSD unf&Atrithd. ADWeik>nary Fund to idontyycomblned Missk)Th Fund lo Ihe Chuth Wh￿ wlll be used tolurtharJN*AI tr￿￿ mknlsty In tho thrChirfEng1ar￿ oreknlthgro gs ￿skI￿red atFlO¥iatÈbythÈ PCC The Ca￿tal Fund rew¢sÈniS wrchase c0510119 Beauhou Court the AnnexB (Old Redoryl. Th8 Buildlng F￿d 15 a reslrkw specwlappeyl lund Io gUPPOrtlhg construc1￿￿￿1 theAudtt￿UM, ihè ès50d8ied r mad£lliny r(¢￿1$&5 SubSBq￿nl s￿rA11can1 repairs and [￿Ull¥ShI￿8￿I ol ￿1 thurch buildings. Ntsoihtsrf&StridÈd luThl6 arooparalgd tylhe PCC, Alien1￿ b tha￿ io the notic4 Chwth Fundsdisplayèd ￿￿T èntrar*A. Th& &x0￿LS InL*Jdoal IW$8¢llws, £saets 8nd llai4llllesforwhlth the PCC Is In law. Theydo Indude th8 aCty)lm￿ clwJrth group$ i￿￿1￿ ihelrmalnaffillalkjnio anglher i*)dy￿r thEI alè Inlomid gathèrfrysof ¢￿J1¢￿ momb¢rn. Volunlarylnttomo andCapl*&lSoureès Coletlknny Ére recwisedwhen rwAr*d by or