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← St Michaels Without

2023-12-31-accounts

ST MICHAEL’S WITHOUT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 DECEMBER 2023

Charity Number 1130721

St Michael’s Without Report of the Trustees Year Ended 31 December 2023

CONTENTS PAGES
Report of the Trustees 2 – 9
Reference & AdministraDve InformaDon 10
Independent Examiner’s report to the Trustees 11
Statement of Financial AcDviDes 12
Balance sheet ?
Notes to the fnancial statements ?

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St Michael’s Without Report of the Trustees Year Ended 31 December 2023

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St Michael’s Without Annual Report For 2023

Aims and purposes

St. Michael’s Without Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperaDng with the incumbent, the Rev. Roger Driver, to promote within the ecclesiasDcal parish, the whole mission of the church: pastoral, evangelisDc, social and ecumenical. The PCC is responsible for the maintenance of the parish church building on Broad Street.

ObjecDves and acDviDes

The PCC and congregaDon are commiWed to open wide our church doors and fully engage with the community of Bath and visitors to the city. The PCC maintains an overview of all the church’s acDviDes and the use of the building to ensure that these are compaDble with and promote our desire to demonstrate the Way of Jesus. The site of the current church has been a ChrisDan presence for almost 900 years. It is a significant place both for visitors to the City, and also as a meeDng and gathering place for local people - a place of community. Different buildings have come and gone but the constant has been the people, who are the Church.

In following Jesus, who is the Way, the PCC are commiWed to prayer and this is at the centre of what we do. In responding to His call on our lives, we in turn, are part of the ongoing work to encourage others to follow too. We seek to share the love of God through welcome and hospitality and a church building that is open daily, reaching out in pracDcal ways to make a difference in people’s lives and for the good of the city. We are not a perfect community, we don’t always get things right and experience our share of struggles in life, but in all that, we sDll seek to follow Jesus faithfully because we know no beWer way. Our services and worship put faith into pracDce through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament. When planning our acDviDes for the year we have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and in parDcular, the supplementary guidance on chariDes for the advancement of religion. Specifically, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:

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St Michael’s Without Report of the Trustees Year Ended 31 December 2023

A Year in Summary

In this year's annual report, we are excited to share with you our ongoing commitment to placing mission and evangelism at the heart of everything we do. This priority serves as a constant reminder that all our endeavours must be centred around sharing God's love and proclaiming the good news about Jesus.

As we entered the new year, our Diocesan focus remained on ‘living out the story of God's love and telling that story’, to those around us. We strove to plan and shape our life together in a way that beWer serves and embraces our parish community. Through intenDonal acDviDes and iniDaDves, we acDvely engage with our communiDes at personal, parish, deanery, and diocesan levels.

Our goal is to create meaningful connecDons and build relaDonships that reflect God's love in acDon. We are dedicated to fostering a missional mindset in all aspects of our ministry as we endeavour to reach more individuals with the message of hope and restoraDon.

As we move forward, we recognise the importance of adapDng to changing societal and cultural contexts. We seek innovaDve ways to connect with people, meeDng them where they are and bridging the gap between their needs and God's transformaDve power.

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St Michael’s Without Report of the Trustees Year Ended 31 December 2023

We are grateful for the opportunity to conDnue pursuing this mission in the coming year. Together, as a community united by faith, hope, and love, we can make a lasDng impact on those around us by sharing God's love boldly and authenDcally.

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St Michael’s Without Report of the Trustees Year Ended 31 December 2023

Challenges and Growth

Over the past 12 months, we have faced challenges and experienced growth in various aspects of our ministry.

One significant development was the transiDon within our worship team. While we sadly saw the departure of our Worship Pastor Jacob Smith, we are incredibly proud of our Worship team for stepping up and leading us in our worship. Their dedicaDon and talent have allowed us to maintain a vibrant and engaging atmosphere during our services.

We are grateful to have seen a regular paWern of small growth in our worship services. The number of aWendees at the 9.30am has steadily increased over Dme as more people find the gentler start to a Sunday helpful. The coffee and pastries between services has developed into a good place for connecDon for the whole church.

Our vision and passion to keep the Church space open all week through the running of the cafe was and is being achieved. But, like many organisaDons in the city, we have encountered challenges in recruiDng and retaining staff members in the cafe. The current job market poses hurdles when it comes to finding qualified individuals who align with our mission and values. Nonetheless, we remain commiWed to finding innovaDve soluDons that will strengthen our team and enable us to beWer serve the community.

On a posiDve note, external events are conDnuing to build aher a difficult period due to restricDons imposed by the pandemic. We conDnue to host the majority of the programme of Bath Recitals Trust and have welcomed new organisaDons as well as regulars. We have been acDve in making and drawing connecDons with the local community engaging both members of our congregaDon and visitors alike. A knijng circle, board games, friendship groups have provided unique opportuniDes for fellowship, discipleship, and outreach as we conDnue to navigate this ‘post-pandemic recovery' phase.

Furthermore, there is a tangible shih in the city's atmosphere as it becomes busier with an influx of visitors returning aher the pandemic. The fookall at the Christmas Market was not quite back to pre-pandemic Dmes but not far off it. This presents us with new chances for outreach and hospitality as more people discover us as a place where they can encounter God's love and grace.

While facing changes in staff leadership, we remain steadfast in pursuing God's calling for us in this city. We are grateful for the growth we have experienced, the challenges that have spurred us to innovate and the opportuniDes to connect with an increasing number of individuals seeking meaning and purpose. We conDnue to be moved by what is wriWen in the Prayer book and candles - the honesty of loss, love and need.

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St Michael’s Without Report of the Trustees Year Ended 31 December 2023

Our Mission, our Finances

St Michael’s Without conDnues as an unusual charitable organisaDon with a ChrisDan faith at its’ heart. We are pleased to report that we paid our parish share to the Diocese of Bath & Wells in full. We also believe that it is important to support other organisaDons with aligned missional objecDves. More details of this are given under a separate heading.

The congregaDon decided many years ago to reorder the church building and make it available 7 days a week for worship, hospitality, welcome and a resource to people of faith and people of none. The financial structure that supports this is thus different to a more convenDonal parish church. Nevertheless, the foundaDon of our financial arrangements is that the congregaDon should support the day-to-day funcDons of a church, with any surplus available to support our mission. The trading elements of our mission acDvity; café, concerts, exhibiDons etc, should at worst be cost neutral and at best contribute to further development of this and other outreach acDvity.

2023 has been a year of financial challenge for St Michael’s Without. In the last annual report, we idenDfied that giving from the church congregaDon was staDc or on a downward trend. It is impossible to know for certain the impact of cost-of-living pressures and whether this had affected the ability to give to church. A direct appeal to the congregaDon elicited a limited response, some did indeed review their giving and decided that it was already at their limit, a few increased their offering. However, there is evidence that church members moving away from St Michael’s and ceasing their regular giving are not being replaced by new regular giving from those joining.

Against this backdrop, rouDne outgoings of staffing, energy bills and maintenance showed upward trends.

Income from our charitable trading did not meet budgetary expectaDons. The margin on café operaDons was unpredictable and showed an overall loss unDl the seasonal upDck toward Christmas. Event income remained at levels below the norm pre-pandemic. The crypt is now perceived to be less leWable without investment and refurbishment. Because of legal discussion and debate about the terms of a new agreement, income from Telefonica for their use of the tower to house telecommunicaDons relay equipment is significantly overdue. No payments for this have been received since 2021.

As a result of these contributary factors St Michael’s chartable funds are £10k less than at the start of the year. This is not immediately criDcal; however, acDon must be taken in 2024 to prevent this worsening. The church congregaDon should be encouraged to appreciate that they are in danger of not meeDng the rouDne church operaDonal costs. Our mission acDviDes must be closely monitored to ensure that they are supporDng our aims, not detracDng from them. Whenever an organisaDon faces financial challenge there is usually hard choice to either increase revenue or cut expenditure and St Michael’s Without finds itself in that posiDon now.

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St Michael’s Without Report of the Trustees Year Ended 31 December 2023

Despite the challenges, we always keep in mind our dependence on God's grace and provision. We approach our ambiDons and plans with humility, relying on God's guidance to discern the right path. We have faced similar challenges in the past, where faith in what we believe has been rewarded. We trust that as long as we conDnue seeking and following God's direcDon, while applying sensible management and decision making, He will conDnue to bless His work through our church family and into the wider community, providing a beacon of hope and transformaDon in both our local community and beyond.

Church Reserves Policy

The PCC determined many years ago that a reserve should be held as a financial buffer against circumstances where the church and its trading acDviDes were unable to operate normally for an extended period of Dme. This was set at a noDonal amount of £30,000 but was reduced due to financial pressure in 2018/19 to £20,000. Interest credit has increased the reserve to the current level of £??????In an ideal world it would be good to anDcipate a Dme when a significant end of year surplus could be used to increase our reserve. However, we conDnue to trust that a combinaDon of God’s provision and careful management will allow us to conDnue to operate the church in a sustainable way.

Café OperaDons

In comparison with 2022 Café performance showed a deterioraDon. We have previously acknowledged that the approach to Christmas is a busy Dme when increased fookall due to our sale of Christmas cards and also the Bath Christmas market means that the café exceeds rouDne trading levels. Thus, trading margins are usually modest unDl November and December. In 2022 the café showed a posiDve margin of £1800 at the end of October. However, in 2023 this figure was in deficit by £1400.

The reasons behind this are always mulDfactor. The cost-of-living crisis will have had an impact as did increased stock costs; we also experienced high staff turnover. Other issues resulted in several full and part-Dme staff members resigning their posiDons at short noDce at the end of October.

The stark choice became one of either realising the loss at that point and close the café or seek a temporary arrangement to conDnue café operaDons throughout November and December. We were fortunate to have already adverDsed for seasonal working in anDcipaDon of the higher trading levels pre-Christmas. Our selecDon of staff from this pool was very successful. These new staff in combinaDon with good legacy staff and wide support and management on a volunteer basis (for which we are grateful to Andrew Tapsfield) enabled successful trading in the run up to Christmas and a posiDve contribuDon to church funds. It should be noted that there was no paid management during this Dme which reduced the cost base.

The deeper understanding of the café operaDon gleaned during this Dme has the potenDal to further enhance the café offer to our customers and provide more predictable income to church

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St Michael’s Without Report of the Trustees Year Ended 31 December 2023

funds to assist with increased energy bills. In that respect the crisis experienced in 2023 has produced some good which can be built upon.

The challenge in 2024 is to make a considered transiDon away from the current level of volunteer involvement which is unsustainable, to one where a new cafe manager is appointed and appropriate staffing is maintained efficiently. Nevertheless, rouDne oversight and financial monitoring will be essenDal to spot adverse trends quickly and apply proper correcDons.

Staff Team

The staff team is led by the Rector, supported by a dedicated core group known as the Ministry Team. This team, consisDng of licensed and Permission to Officiate Clergy, Readers, Children's & Family Pastor, and Administrator, meets regularly to coordinate various acDviDes and iniDaDves.

We would like to express our graDtude for the invaluable assistance provided by our volunteers. Their commitment and dedicaDon have played a crucial role in the successful execuDon of our programs and the upkeep of our faciliDes. We especially want to acknowledge Ken Slade and Dave Snook for their outstanding contribuDons in overseeing health and safety measures within our buildings, as well as handling minor repairs. We are also thankful for the members of the PCC (Parochial Church Council) and the Ministry Team for their ongoing support.

In our office, we have a core team responsible for ensuring smooth administraDve operaDons. Lisa Ware serves as an AdministraDon and Events Coordinator, while Paul Trembling, before his reDrement in October, worked part-Dme as an Assistant Bookkeeper. Our main Bookkeeper is Lesley Davies who primarily operates off-site. AddiDonally, we employ a mix of full-Dme and casual staff members to manage our café and assist with events. Andrew Chrystal worked in his role of Cafe and Hospitality Manager, before he moved on, and we are very grateful for the work that he did in helping build and develop the funcDoning of the café. Andrew Tapsfield did truly heroic work as acDng Manager at the end of the year which meant that, despite, the early challenges of the year the cafe figures look healthy.

We truly appreciate the dedicaDon and hard work of all these individuals who contribute to the overall success of what we do as a Church.

Safeguarding

We aim to make St Michael’s a place where anyone who comes feels welcomed and part of a safe community. Therefore, safeguarding is a responsibility of everyone in the church and we felt it important to promote this ethos more specifically during the year. There were no actual safeguarding incidents reported and work was begun on an audit of our safeguarding processes. This has included monitoring safeguarding training undertaken by staff and volunteers and ensuring our safeguarding related records are held confidenDally uDlising the Parish Dashboard system.

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St Michael’s Without Report of the Trustees Year Ended 31 December 2023

Children’s and Youth Work

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Community engagement

For some Dme now we have had U3A (University of the Third Age) come and use our space. They come armed with rolled up chessboards, numerous bags of Rummikub, turntabled scrabble assemblages and the occasional heated backgammon. With coffee and cake, the baWles begin, and there is here a great opportunity to laugh, listen and love.

Giggling, crying, chajng, and wailing can ohen be heard when we get invaded by Dny feet; the Baby Café is a safe, secure and a ‘sunshine’ space. Mark is such a gih and many parents, and their offspring have come and felt it a place to unwind and refresh. The Baby Café runs on a Tuesday and a Friday but even on the other days, the café team will put out the mats, and making all feel so welcomed.

Needles, crochet hooks, fixed circulars, and plenty of yarn. ChaWer and care would be the two main elements that the Knijng Club has had the opportunity to give. MeeDng on a Monday, the club has had an incredible impact in reaching out to those that would otherwise struggle to connect. The gentle rhythm of needle and yarn, belies the intricate and delicate work, and so, with the conversaDons and interacDons. Much is said with liWle spoken.

There are many that come alone, some from having lost their partner and want to be surrounded by life. Others come, from the street, because they want not to be surrounded by life. Here is a ministry of listening, of seeing them and of friendship. Many have a rouDne, the same coffee, Americano with hot milk and a Date Cake or a pot of English Breakfast and a packet of crisps. Our ministry is to be part of their rouDne – for them to learn to trust, to undo the walls that separate and to hear their story and share our own.

And of the last, what can we say – The Friday Fellowship, the Tuesday and Thursday church regulars these are the real treasure of our church. With ready smiles, warm and kind words, many a stranger has been made to feel welcomed. Stories of the war sDll abound but also lots of laughter. Over the years these pioneers have formed deep friendships with many, seeds have been sown, prayers oh spoken and love uncondiDonally given.

Our Mission Partners

St. Michael's gave £9900 financial support to our Mission Partners through 2023, which is made up of £7500 from our undesignated funds and £2400 from a specific fund-raising evening. Under our current budget we intend to give £5000 per annum from church funds; the £7500 included a delayed payment from the previous year ending 31 Dec 2022.

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St Michael’s Without Report of the Trustees Year Ended 31 December 2023

Our Mission Partners are chosen by St. Michael’s PCC as organisaDons that are in line with our Vision and PrioriDes. We try to achieve a balance so that we are supporDng missional work in the UK and internaDonally, as well as considering different groups of people and the variety of needs and opportuniDes that exist.

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St Michael’s Without Report of the Trustees Year Ended 31 December 2023

Structure, governance & management

The PCC convened 8 Dmes during 2023.

The APCM was held on Monday 5th June 2023, when one PCC member reDred and two replacements were elected for a three-year period. There was one resignaDon in February 2023.

The Standing CommiWee, executed the business of the PCC between meeDngs of the Council. In 2023 the members were Roger Driver (Rector), Rachel Snook (unDl April) and Jane Pleace (Church Wardens), Rachel Walker (PCC Secretary) and Andrew Tapsfield (Treasurer). The Standing CommiWee met informally in church aher services and on Zoom, email and reporDng to the PCC at the next following meeDng.

Statement of trustees’ responsibiliDes

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom AccounDng Standards including Financial ReporDng Standard 102: The Financial ReporDng Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted AccounDng PracDce).

The law applicable to chariDes in England & Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounDng records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any Dme the financial posiDon of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the ChariDes Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) RegulaDons 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed/consDtuDon. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevenDon and detecDon of fraud and other irregulariDes.

Signed on order of the Trustees by

Rev R Driver

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St Michael’s Without Report of the Trustees Year Ended 31 December 2023

Date:

AdministraDve InformaDon

St. Michael’s Church is situated on Broad Street, Bath. The correspondence address is St Michael’s Without Church, Broad Street, Bath, BA1 5LJ. It is part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells within the Church of England. The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church RepresentaDon Rules 2006) and is a charity which holds registraDon with the Charity Commission – Charity Number 1130721

Parochial Church Council

The Council consists of ex-officio members (The Rector as Chair, the Churchwardens, the Readers and Deanery Synod representaDves) and up to 12 elected members. PCC members serving in 2019 unDl the date this report was approved are:

INCUMBENT: Revd. Roger Driver ASSISTANT CURATE: Revd. Simon Winchcombe CHURCH WARDENS: Andrew Tapsfield Jane Pleace READERS: Marian Marlow (ReDred 2023), Sheila WaWers DEANERY SYNOD REPS: Steve Egan, Jane Pleace ELECTED 2021: Jon Webb-Peploe ELECTED 2022: Rachel Walker Charles BeWs Mirna Dean Alistair Haggerty ELECTED 2023: Charles Dods Sue Snell

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St Michael’s Without Report of the Trustees

Year Ended 31 December 2023

I report to the trustees on my examinaDon of the accounts of St Michaels Without (the Charity) for the year ended 31st December 2023.

ResponsibiliDes and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparaDon of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the ChariDes Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examinaDon of the Charity’s accounts carried out under secDon 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examinaDon I have followed all the applicable DirecDons given by the Charity Commission under secDon 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examinaDon. I confirm that no material maWers have come to my aWenDon in connecDon with the examinaDon giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounDng records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by secDon 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the ChariDes (Accounts and Reports) RegulaDons 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a maWer considered as part of an independent examinaDon.

I have no concerns and have come across no other maWers in connecDon with the examinaDon to which aWenDon should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Neil Kingston, FCA Burton Sweet Chartered Accountants

The Clock Tower 5 Farleigh Court Old Weston Road Flax Bourton Bristol BS48 1UR

Date: …………………………

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