St. Swithun’s Church Grovelands Road, Purley CR8 4LB
Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council for the Year Ended 31st December 2024
Registered Charity No. 1130779
May 2025
Benefice of Purley St Swithun and St Mark ANNUAL REPORT of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Swithun, Purley for the Year Ended 31st December 2024
Administrative Information
Location - at the junction of Grovelands Road and Downlands Road, Purley. Working with St Mark’s to form the benefice of Purley St Swithun and St Mark The Benefice is in the Church Of England Diocese of Southwark, Croydon Area South, Croydon Deanery.
Incumbent: Rev’d Fiona Weaver Licensed Reader: Julian Pearcey
Whilst the two parishes of St Swithun’s and St Mark’s remain independent of each other they are going through a process of transformation. Each parish formally retains its own elected Parochial Church Council (PCC) and is responsible for its own finances. The PCCs of the two parishes joined together in 2023, and now they meet bi-monthly, with the meeting location alternating between the two churches.
Correspondence may be addressed to the Secretary of the PCC:
Mr Paul Sandford, 16 Downlands Road, Purley, CR8 4JE
Members of the PCC who have served from the APCM in 2024 to the date of approval of this report are:
Chairperson Rev’d Fiona Weaver - Vicar Vice Chairperson Ms Hazel Game Churchwarden VACANT Deanery Synod Representatives Mr Paul Sandford PCC Secretary Mr John Yorke Treasurer Mrs Yvonne Boyd Co-opted Member Elected Members Mr Robert Page Mrs Evangeline Alli Mrs Jenny Blair-Ford Safeguarding Officer Mr Charles Blair-Ford Ms Donyale French Ms Hazel Game
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Vicar’s Benefice Report to St Swithun’s and St Mark’s APCM 2025
I continue to have a confident hope for our future as a Benefice. My/our journey through Holy Week and into Easter was a reminder that no matter how dark things may seem, the resurrection assures us of God’s transforming power. It is this hope that continues to guide my ministry with you, in my thoughts, decisions and attitude. This is what it means to be an Easter people, as Easter people it is not enough to believe, we must also live out our faith actively. I remain positive thanks to the dedication and work and goodwill of so many people in both parishes and the initiatives coming from members of the congregation. I am extremely grateful for all the support and care that has been given to me by so many people in the past year. I may repeat some of what Tom says and agree with his report, but I felt it important that this year my APCM report was one for the Benefice, so that both congregations get a flavour of what is going on.
As I’ve reflected on the past year during my journey through Holy Week I’m reminded that church is what we make it. We are the people of God, an outpost of his kingdom in our Benefice. In Christ, we have everything we need to be the people God is calling us to be and everything we need to do the things that God is calling us to do. We are in a liminal time of holding on to what we have done in the past and knowing we need to ‘be church’ differently and no one really knows what that will look like but there are a number of you that have some exciting and solid ideas. Looking back over the past year and reading the various reports in the Parish Review booklet, reveals that it’s been a good and active year in the parish. New people have joined and are finding faith. Our joint Benefice events gave opportunities to worship, pray, study and to socialise together, all vital elements of growing in strength together.
Tom has been an excellent warden, his wise counsel and wit have sustained and supported me and many others. St Swithun’s has continued without an official warden, and we all owe a huge debt of thanks to Hazel Game for keeping us on track, guiding, reminding and keeping an eye on governance. Her support and counsel have also been invaluable. I continue to appreciate the ministry of our Licenced Reader, Julian Pearcey, he is supportive and understanding. His sense of humour, wise counsel on more than one occasion, kept my sanity. I am sure you will agree that both Julian Pearcey and Richard Gunning continue to give us much food for thought with their excellent sermons. I am grateful to them both for their liturgical input. My thanks also to Richard for his diligence and eye for detail in the ‘sacristy’ ensuring we have the correct altar frontals and with the ‘team’ that the altar is correctly set up for each Sunday along with the myriad other tasks he takes on board.
Music is integral to our worship and my thanks to Gillian Hope at St Swithun’s and Martin French at St Mark’s who continue to share their expertise with us along with all the ‘dep organists’ and the choir. At this point I should mention the St Mark’s PCC did advertise again for an organist /choir lead but no suitable candidate applied, this is one of the issues that needs addressing.
At St Swithun’s our relationship with the Syriac Orthodox church is developing and it was wonderful to welcome their members to join with us at the community Carol service in December. We hope to build on this relationship in the coming year.
Moving to a non eucharistic format was the right direction to go for the parade services at St Mark’s. Although I accept some are not happy with this decision it does mean that both Harvest and Mothering Sunday are more inclusive for the young people attending. My thanks to the leaders and young people of the 25[th] Purley Beavers Cubs and Scouts and the 1[st] Woodcote Rainbows 17[th] Purley Brownies the 2nd Purley Guides and Rangers for their input into these services.
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The experience and wise counsel that each member contributed to the Joint Benefice PCC, Standing and Strategy committees has been vital. There have been many constructive, lively debates regarding the governance of and future direction of our Benefice. Thank you to Sue Carter and Paul Sandford for sharing the PCC secretary role. I am thankful that Jenny BlairFord continues as our Safeguarding lead and is reviewing with me where we are re checks, training and policies. We are fortunate that we have Sue Young in our Parish office, without whom I would not be able to function. Her calmness, sense of humour and willingness to say yes when asked to do a huge variety of tasks and keep up to date with the changing legalities and protocols that go with Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals, is invaluable to the Benefice. Val Mottram and Sue Carter both do an incredible and complex juggling act in managing our halls and church bookings with such a variety of users and hirers and looking at new ways that they might bring in revenue.
On the subject of finance, we are fortunate that we have the expertise and capable hands at St Swithun’s of Yvonne Boyd and with Sarah Chartres and Ian Robinson at St Mark’s along with the finance committees. Both sets of accounts are managed and explained in an understandable way. I also thank Terry Cairns and Charles Blair-Ford for the Stewardship work they do. We are blessed that in both Churches we have people who are dedicated to keeping our buildings and grounds in good order and note that this is getting harder as the need to recruit new people into helping is much needed.
The first part of the Pilgrim Course (follow) was an opportunity to explore our faith. Taking (grow) forward should rightly be a lay led initiative, so any group wishing to take this on will have my full support. The Advent and Palm Sunday craft sessions continue to be fun and well attended my thanks to the Guide leaders and older Guides for their help in these afternoons. We now have a couple of parents and past attendees helping.
The St Swithun’s Community Cinema continues to thrive and show a good variety of films thanks very much to Paul and Damaris for its success, I wish I could attend more often. The St Mark’s ‘Place to be Café’ is also thriving, with a steady number of guests and our volunteers from both the congregation and local community making new friends and providing much needed support, I enjoy my Friday afternoons at the Café. It is a good example of how an idea can become a reality when there is a shared vision and a willingness to act. We have had visits to the Café from other local churches looking at setting up their own version. My thanks to Lena and Evie who run the Café and to all the volunteers. This year attendance at the Accessible dementia friendly Nativity (which grew out of the Café) grew in attendance again.
Joining our neighbours and hosting the ‘Big Lunch’ in June was a great success. Our hosting a picnic lunch at St Mark’s has begun to be a well-attended annual event following on the Jubilee, then the Coronation lunch, offering the chance to relax and socialise with our friends and neighbours, and a time for outreach.
I am sure I have missed people out in my list of thanks and for that I apologise. These are just a few examples of the many positives and good work that is going on that we can build on and learn from.
In order to address some of the challenges that face us we are making changes. To that end we have an emerging Benefice communications group tasked with improving information sharing within our individual parishes, the Benefice and with the outside world. We have also decided to develop a Benefice website which is being worked on. It has been agreed that the magazine will formally become a Benefice magazine. My thanks to Steve Hunt and Adrian Frost for helping steer this.
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Revival of House groups/home groups/book groups- I know many are interested in revitalising and reforming what used to be a thriving number of groups. Meeting together is a vital aspect of faith seeking understanding and a sign of a healthy church. The groups will be well publicised and easier for new people to join and not become closed groups. I am thankful that Howard Marsh and Paul Sandford have taken an active lead in building on what has happened in the past and getting this going – they will need your help and all our commitment if this is to work.
A think tank - for want of a better name - is very much at a fledgling idea stage to be discussed at the first PCC of the year. My expectation would be that that this would be a group to help us move ideas along and to prioritise one or two initiatives arising from various away days and meetings turning some of our blue sky thinking into reality. These initiatives neatly dovetail into the PCC/Benefice commitment to growing in faith and number and the Diocesan Vision of being Christ Centred, Outward Focused, through the five marks of mission.
In conclusion, change is happening, not fast enough for some and too quick for others. There is much we can build on and learn from. The coming year is a time for us all to review and share the tasks that can be shared that currently are seen as ‘the vicar’s’ or ‘the wardens’ that actually can and should be taken on by a wider group of people. This is not simply sharing tasks but enabling a wider group of people to have ownership of all that goes on. Many of the changes that need to happen are around Tom, Hazel (although not warden, still takes on a number of responsibilities), and I sharing/delegating more tasks we currently undertake but can and should be done by others.
So in the coming year - let’s listen to the whispers of God beckoning us out with Him into the new. Let’s learn together - building up our worshipping community and reaching out beyond it to draw new people to Christ, building on the good things that are going on now, and the many seeds that have been planted over the years. Rev’d Fiona.
Structure, governance & management
The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure of the Church of England. It is a charity registered with the Charity Commission (number 1130779). The Trustees of the charity are the members of the PCC.
The members are elected for terms of 3 years as set out in the Church Representation Rules. The PCC consists, ex-officio, of the Vicar; churchwardens (although no one was appointed in 2023 or 2024) and Deanery Synod representatives; together with the PCC members who are elected by members of the congregation on the parish Electoral Roll. The PCC is responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish, including decisions on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent.
St Swithun’s and St Mark’s are moving from the present arrangement of two churches together as one Benefice to the possible establishment of a single Parish. Although this has been a vague direction for some time, it was brought into sharp focus when no churchwarden was appointed at St Swithun’s and a not unlikely prospect of the same at St Mark’s at some point in the near future. Both churches have seen a slow decline in congregation numbers and fewer people willing to take on the wider support duties within the respective PCCs. Several important steps have been taken to address this.
Following discussions with the Archdeacon of Croydon Greg Prior, it was agreed that the two PCCs could come together to form a United Benefice Joint PCC. The new structure was
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approved at a joint meeting held at St Swithun’s on 22[nd] August 2023. While not an alternative to the requirement for at least one warden at each church, the new structure can go some way to the need to share talents and resources. This was followed by a half day ‘Mission Action Planning Vision Day’ (known as the “Away Day”) in October 2023 that brought together the congregations of both churches to focus on what we do well, what we must develop and how to reach out more effectively in the local community. The vision day was based around the ’Five Marks of Mission: Tell, Teach, Tend, Transform and Treasure.
The current active committees at St Swithun’s are the Finance and Stewardship Committee (chaired by the Treasurer, Yvonne Boyd), the Communications Committee and the Social Committee.
Aim and Purpose
St Swithun’s PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the Incumbent in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church - pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also responsible for the maintenance of the church building, the church hall and the surrounding grounds; and for ensuring that the parish’s finances and accounting records are in good order.
The PCC is committed to growing in faith and number and the Diocese of Southwark Vision is Christ Centred, Outward Focused.
We also continue to be committed to the five marks of mission.
TELL – Proclaim the message of the kingdom (EASTER!).
TEACH– Teach, nurture and baptise new members.
TEND – Serve those in need.
TRANSFORM – Transform (injustice/racism/abuse/violence). TREASURE – Strive to safe-guard creation.
Proceedings of St Swithun’s PCC In the absence of a churchwarden the PCC acts jointly as the warden. Each time that the PCC met in 2024 it was with St Mark’s PCC and the two are now formally called the Benefice of Purley St Mark and St Swithun Joint PCC (referred to as the joint benefice PCC or the JBPCC for short). An exception to this was when the St Swithun’s PCC met separately with Rev’d Doug McHardie, Vicar of Christchurch, Purley (see 2(a) below).
The JBPCC met 6 times in 2024 and these were the main items discussed:
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Regarding St Mark’s: (a) updates on the Penny Norris Suite; (b) updates on the new altar hanging in memory of Clive Frampton; (c) the church hall (whether to increase the deposit required from hirer’s following extensive damage caused by one of them and that help is required with checking that the hall is locked late at night and the possibility of a professional security guard); (d) repairs to clergy vestry roof, (e) approval of Charities to receive donations;
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Regarding St Swithun’s: - (a) the meeting of the PCC with Rev’d Doug McHardie in October (various ways we could work with Christchurch to draw on their experience were discussed, particularly about increasing church membership and the “Gossiping the Gospel” course planned by Doug for 2025); (b) Neo Blair-Ford’s trip to Fiji to help with a Health Care Project there (agreement was given for a donation from a special fund at St Swithun’s and donations encouraged by the congregation, towards Neo’s costs); (c) decision to move away from the Christmas Parcels Scheme to the Christmas Presents Scheme, whereby instead of preparing parcels of groceries, toys and gifts recipients would receive cash or vouchers donated by both congregations; (d) use of the church and Carter Room by the Syriac Church;
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- Regarding Both Churches: - (a) up-dates on the financial situation; (b) safeguarding matters including progress on DBS checks and training (Jenny Cameron-Blair-Ford now acts as Safeguarding Officer for both PCC’s); (c) the Pilgrim Course; (d) concern over rising energy bills (some costs are offset by letting income from the halls); (e) the need for a Social Media Policy following advice from the Diocese; (f) feedback from the Awayday in October 2023 (the forms submitted had been analysed and a spreadsheet produced showing those people willing to assist, and a plan for transformation, and a working group was set up to report back to the JBPCC); (g) Christmas services (Revd Fiona put forward the premise of a “blue” service), including advertising flyers and posters and the Christmas card (it was decided not to circulate the card throughout the parish using church members or professional distributers but instead to encourage church members to give it out to neighbours and friends); social events such as the Patronal festivals and Harvest festival; (h) that more help is needed to maintain and repair the churches, church halls and grounds and how this should be approached in future as fewer people are willing or able to take on these support duties; (i) approval of an increase in our contribution to the Parish Support Fund (each church agreed to increase it by 3.5%, in line with the request from the Diocese); (j) membership of the Inclusive Church Network was proposed by Revd Fiona and whilst many members were in favour of joining, others were not, resulting in a decision not to become members at present (it was recognised that we want to remain an inclusive, welcoming Benefice in the wider sense); (k) Revd Fiona’s forthcoming sabbatical; (l) House Groups and how we can encourage more of them.
Deanery Synod The PCC understands that the Deanery Synod is an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the church. Our lay representatives on the Deanery Synod for the past 5 years have been Paul Sandford and John Yorke and they remain our representatives until at least the APCM of 2026. Rev’d Fiona serves on the Deanery Pastoral committee that governs Synod business.
Worship and Prayer We now have one service on a Sunday at 11 am (unless we have a joint benefice service at St Mark’s). It is a Eucharistic service on the 1[st] , 3[rd] and 5[th] Sundays in each month and a Morning Praise service on the 2[nd] and 4[th] Sundays. There is a said midweek service at 9.30 am every Wednesday. Regular attendance at St Swithun’s has been declining slowly in recent years, however in 2024 our numbers started to rise with (as recorded in the Statistics for Mission 2025) 38 regular members attending on Sundays in that year (“regular” meaning a person who attends at least once a month). The number of children attending also increased slightly. There were no baptisms, confirmations or weddings at St Swithun’s in 2024. There was one Thanksgiving for Life service and interment of ashes in April 2024 for a longstanding and much-loved member of our church.
Music We are grateful to Gillian Hope who has continued to play the piano at our services throughout the year. Gillian used to nurture our singing group who would come together to sing during our Morning Praise services once or twice a month, However, the singing group has been temporarily disbanded due to the lack of people able to take part at present.
Faith and Nurture It continues to be important to us that we grow in faith and there are currently two house groups in the benefice. We started to work through the Pilgrim course in late 2023 and this has continued through 2024. We have continued to have Advent and Lent study programmes and are in the process of reviving more of our house groups across the benefice.
Children and young people The number of children and young people attending St Swithun’s regularly has fallen greatly in recent years, although in 2024 we had some new families attend our Sunday services and the number of children under 16 attending has started to increase. We are trying to find ways to work with them and increase their number still further.
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For very young children we maintain a small area at the back of the church where there are children’s colouring books and activity sheets. We set up a young men’s “youth chill and chat group” held before the Sunday service once per month, but attendance was low and the group has temporarily been put on hold while we see how we can best encourage our youth to come together at St Swithun’s.
Pastoral Care Pastoral care is carried out naturally through individual members ensuring we keep a check on each other and informing the vicar if there are issues. We continue to value our special relationship with the residents of Carlene House (a residence for adults with learning difficulties or special needs). Many of the residents regularly attend our Sunday services, and social events and members of the congregation have attended events at Carlene House. We work to ensure we can be as welcoming and inclusive as possible in worship and all our activities.
Safeguarding and Privacy Jenny Cameron-Blair-Ford is the Benefice Safeguarding Officer. Safeguarding is a standing item on the JBPCC’s meeting Agendas. Safeguarding and safe recruitment of both staff and volunteers are paramount to the Benefice’s approach to carrying out its mission, and the JBPCC is fully committed to ensuring that our church and related premises are safe places for all who use them, in particular children and vulnerable adults. No safeguarding concerns were reported during 2024, updates were made to all the required safeguarding notices and to the websites with clear contacts for any safeguarding concerns, the annual safeguarding audit has been completed (this generated a few areas that we can develop), and Confidential Declaration Forms have been completed on all PCC members and DBS will follow over the next few months. It is intended that our regular hall hirers will be asked to sign an agreement to follow parish safeguarding policy. In 2025, Jenny will be completing 2 days Safeguarding Leadership training, and she will also attend the DBS administrator’s webinar. We are aware of our responsibilities in holding a range of personal information and steps are taken to ensure compliance with GDPR legislation across all activities. The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to the House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).
Croydon Churches Floating Shelter (CCFS) / Night Watch . This year, St Swithun’s and St Mark’s provided sandwiches and snacks on six Friday nights in February and March which were taken to Night Watch so their volunteers could pass them on to the homeless in Croydon. This has replaced the Floating Shelter scheme that involved hosting homeless people for 6 winter nights in St Swithun’s church hall.
The Christmas Presents Scheme (formerly The Christmas Parcels Scheme) This used to be called the Christmas Parcels Scheme because previously, each Christmas, we made up boxes of groceries, presents and toys for designated families to receive as a way of supporting four charities in our Diocese. This year, however, St Swithun’s gave cash to Age UK for the Christmas entertainment of lonely, isolated pensioners, and to St.Mary Magdalene Church in Bermondsey for them to take gifts to residents of a nearby Nursing Home. We also organised supermarket vouchers for clients of Bede House, Southwark, and donated a sum to Copleston Day Centre for Refugees in Peckham for their hardship fund. The scheme has evolved over forty years and continues to be incredibly successful and is now a benefice project lead by St Swithun’s with members of both congregations making donations of money, particularly on one Sunday in November which we call “Gift Sunday”.
Purley Food Hub and Other Donations Purley Food Hub is a Churches Together in Purley & Kenley initiative, based at Purley United Reform Church. The Hub has now been operating for over 13 years. They also make donations to two Food Stops and the West Croydon Refugee Centre. Members of St Swithun’s congregation regularly leave long life food in a crate at the church which gets taken to Purley URC for storage and onward distribution. In addition,
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members of the congregation also donate money and useful items (such as clothes and bed linen) for the West Croydon Refugee Centre, and this is taken there directly. This year the refugee centre was chosen to receive the collection monies from the Carol and Crib services. Donated books are usually given to Purley URC for their book fair and baby clothes and toys are taken to Growbaby operated by Montpelier Church in South Croydon. Damaris Weller arranges delivery of our donations to the Hub and Refugee Centre (and also runs the Christmas Presents Scheme). Rev’d Fiona continues to be a Trustee of the Food Bank and also volunteers as a driver delivering food.
Communications It was decided that a Benefice joint Communications Committee consisting of members of both churches would be formed and working group meetings held to establish a common style guide and other display material which is to reflect information relating to both churches. It is anticipated there will be a move towards a shared Benefice website, a shared weekly notice sheet (at present each church has its own) and a Benefice magazine. At St Swithun’s we use Facebook and notice boards (internal and external) to promote our services, social activities and Deanery/Diocesan events. We currently email our notice sheet and readings each week via our Gmail account to keep in contact with our congregation and friends of St Swithun.
Social Activities Our Community Cinema has continued to be active through the year, and visitors are welcome. Paul Sandford organised films which were generally shown once a month in the Carter Room. This continues to be popular with attendance generally rising. After the film, teas/coffees and cakes made by Damaris Weller are served and donations are invited from the audience. The Social Committee again organised the annual Patronal BBQ in July, and this year it took place in St Swithun’s Church Hall (a move away from the usual venue – the vicarage garden). Wonderful BBQ food was cooked on the hall patio by Wazir Alli, supplemented by homemade salads and desserts. Unfortunately, the Social Committee were unable to organise their usual Epiphany Supper in 2024. The Committee provided the catering after the St Swithun’s Christmas Carols (as usual) and also helped with the catering following the Thanksgiving for Life service of a much-loved member of the congregation (who was our Social Committee Chairperson). Profits from the Cinema and other social events benefit the church Charities Fund.
Ecumenical Relationships The church is a member of Churches Together in Purley and Kenley. We are also in a relationship with the Syriac Orthodox Church (full name: St Mary’s Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church South London). This is an arrangement made with the agreement of the Archdeacon and a Diocesan approved church hire contract that allows the Syriac Church to use St Swithun’s church and Carter Room two Sundays each month (currently the 1[st] and 3[rd] Sunday of each month), plus extra times in Lent and at major festivals. This makes a significant contribution to church funds. The Syriac Church has a congregation of over 100, drawn from a large area of South London (including a large number of children who have activities in the Carter Room). Their choir and church (lay) leaders joined us for our Carol Service where their beautiful singing was much appreciated by all.
Volunteers St Swithun’s runs on volunteers, except of course for the work of our Vicar Rev’d Fiona. Volunteers carry out gardening jobs; they arrange hire of the church hall; clean the church and Carter Room; arrange maintenance of and repairs to the fabric of the church, its grounds and the church hall; deal with the accounts and other finance matters; provide publicity and communications, as well as providing social activities. Volunteers also assist the Vicar during the Eucharist services. However, the number of volunteers at St Swithun’s is fast diminishing. Church members are aging, and they are not as capable as they once were to help. The difficulty is they are not being replaced by younger people who have the time to devote to running the church and hall.
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Ornaments of the Church The church plate, vestments and ornaments of the church are all present and have not changed since at least 2021. It was suggested at the church annual inspection in 2022, by the then Archdeacon, that we should improve the photographic records we have of our church plate and ornaments, particularly for insurance purposes. This is an ongoing project that will continue in 2025, although progress is slow owing to the lack of volunteers to carry out the work.
Buildings and Grounds Maintenance
(Annual Fabric Report under section 50 of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure 2018)
Work on the fabric of the church and hall has continued to be restricted to essential work only, due to our difficult financial situation following drops in income in recent years and because fewer people are able to take on these duties. In the main, and when they can, Robert Page looks after the church and Nick Mottram looks after the church hall.
Checks and inspections were carried out as follows: the gas safety check was carried out partly in December (and partly in early 2025). Fire extinguishers were checked in October.
The gutters and down pipes/drains were due to be cleared in 2024; however, this was carried out in early 2025 instead.
The small leak from the roof over the chancel that was mentioned in last year’s annual report (and that ceased last year) has not returned, and the small leak above the upper vestry that started in early 2024 and was also mentioned in last year’s report, has also ceased and not returned.
The safety check of all the trees on the site for dead or decaying branches, referred to in last year’s report, was not carried out. This needs to be carried out by a qualified tree inspector. However, two large mature ash trees growing on the bank above Downlands Road were identified as having Ash Die-back disease, and were felled, together with a dead Hawthorn tree adjacent to the Garden of Rest.
Some minor repairs needed in the church hall were carried out but there is still a lot of maintenance work that needs to be carried out there. It would be desirable to make improvements generally to the hall and this is something that needs to be considered, especially if the PCC would like to increase the rental charge. However, this is subject to having the manpower available to arrange and achieve the work, even though the work would probably be carried out by contactors.
One Thursday each month, the Gardening Group (which comprises church members) meets to maintain the church grounds. A paid gardener also tends to the grounds periodically, in particular to cut the grass and hedges. Litter in the church grounds is an on-going problem, particularly in the Garden of Remembrance and on the bank below the south porch. Members of the congregation are encouraged to do some litter picking when they can with waste bags being provided for this purpose at the back of the church.
In July 2023, the Quinquennial Inspection of the church was carried out by our church architect/inspector, Mr Paul Sharrock of Thomas Ford and Partners. He reported that the church building was in a generally sound condition and that no urgent work was required at the time, but some items were recommended as follows:
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| Item No. |
Work Recommended | When the Work Requires Attention (starting from July 2023) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Replace missing copper flashing to porch roof | Within 12 months |
| 2. | Review detail of flashings to the north-west porch roof | Within 12-24 months |
| 3. | Review capacity of gutters and downpipes from lower roofs |
Ditto |
| 4. | Clear the sycamore and saplings from the western boundary |
Ditto |
| 5. | Redecorate painted soffits | Within 4 years |
| 6. | Repair rotted section of door frame to the boiler room | Ditto |
| 7. | Repair damaged render near steps to the south-west porch |
Ditto |
| 8. | Adjust detail of rainwater pipe on south-west side | No timescale (this is a desirable improvement) |
| 9. | Redecorate detail of rainwater pipe on south-west side | Ditto |
| 10. | Replace the external protection to the stained glass | Ditto |
| 11. | Repair plaster to the Gallery front and redecorate | Ditto |
So far, only item 4 of the above list has been carried out.
Treasurer’s Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024
The 2024 financial results for the Parish showed that for the first time in several years there was a surplus of income over expenditure of £3,899 on the General Fund (2022 deficit £13,957). This balance was transferred to the Fabric Reserve in line with PCC accounting policies.
Total income increased by 31% with the big improvement in hall and rental income offset by a small decline in cash and pledged giving. Rental income improvement is largely due to the Syriac Church who use the church and Carter room and, occasionally, the hall. Hall income net of expenses is almost doubled compared to last year as the number of rentals has picked up and energy costs have fallen.
In addition, the Parish received a substantial gift of £7,000 from an anonymous donor. I would like to place on record the appreciation of the PCC for this very generous donation.
With the rate of inflation easing and energy costs capped at lower levels operating costs for 2024 have fallen by 4%. Most recurring costs are in line with previous years. Non- recurring expenditure on boiler and toilet repairs and tree felling amounted to £750. For 2025, I have been advised of increases to cleaning costs and accounting fees. Energy costs are also due to rise again in line with changes to the price cap.
The Parish Support Fund is the largest expenditure and was £48,360, a rise of 3.3% on the previous year. This is forecast to increase by 3.5% in 2025, as recommended by the Diocese.
The administration costs of running the Parish remain well controlled and are kept to a minimum thanks to the efforts of volunteers within the Parish. Special mention must go to Val and Nick Mottram for their hard work in promoting the hall and managing lettings.
The investments held in funds managed by the CBF have increased slightly in value by 2.2% and total £108,583. Cash balances are looking much healthier, boosted by the receipt of a donation and a legacy and now stand at £23,727. Debtors comprise income tax recoverable
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and some hall rental income. The reclaim of income tax for 2021 and 2022 were received in the year.
The Charities Fund balance now stands at £8,336. Income from plant sales, parish BBQ and community cinema was £1.239. Payments of £500 were made to each of the five charities supported by the PCC. Special collections raised £500 in support of Neo Blair-Ford’s volunteer work in Fiji and £245 for the Croydon Refugee Centre.
The General Purposes Legacies Fund was credited with a legacy of £5,000 from the estate of John and Elaine Chilvers. The final tranche of costs of £810 on new LED lighting was charged to the Fund.
Overall, the finances of the Parish are much improved on the forecast at the beginning of 2024. It is hoped that rental income will continue to improve in 2025 but that will be offset by rising energy costs and maintenance work carried out in 2025. It will be a struggle to cover Parish running costs in 2025.
Financial Risk Management The financial risks facing the PCC were discussed by the Stewardship and Finance Committee during 2016. The controls which are in place to manage those risks were also reviewed. The conclusions of this review were outlined in our earlier report dated April 2017. A further review, which should have been carried out during 2021, was postponed due to Covid and has not yet been carried out.
Policy on Reserves The PCC’s policy on Reserves was fully explained in our earlier annual report dated April 2010. There have been no changes to that policy.
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 2[nd] May 2025, and signed on its behalf by:
Rev’d Fiona Weaver
Vicar of the Benefice of Purley St Swithun and St Mark
11
Independent Examiner’s Report to the PCC of St. Swithun’s Church, Purley
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2024, which are set out on the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet and Associated Notes.
Respective responsibilities of the members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and of the Independent Examiner
As the members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act.
-
follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act
-
State whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission.
An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention:-
-
(1) which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
-
• to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records, 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.
Andrew Harker, FCCA 1[st] May, 2025 1 Clarence Road, Horsham, W. Sussex RH13 5SJ
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St Swithun’s Church, Purley
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2024
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st December 2024
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total | Funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Incoming Resources | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Incoming resources from donors | |||||
| - pledged giving | 21232 | 21232 | 24359 | ||
| - other collections at services | 1864 | 1864 | 2093 | ||
| - income tax recoverable | 6000 | 290 | 6290 | 6650 | |
| - donations | 7000 | 1161 | 8161 | 730 | |
| - legacies | 5000 | 5000 | 0 | ||
| Incoming resources from activities | |||||
| - fees, rent, refreshments | 6341 | 6341 | 4142 | ||
| - hall lettings | 28786 | 28786 | 20919 | ||
| - fund raising activities | 1984 | 1984 | 1363 | ||
| Incoming resources from investments | 3176 |
3176 | 3695 | ||
| Other income | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total incoming resources | 79399 | 3645 | 82834 | 63951 | |
| Resources Expended | |||||
| - costs of fund-raising | 0 | ||||
| - grants | 500 | 4525 | 5025 | 1083 | |
| - costs directly relating to the work of | |||||
| the church | |||||
| (i) Parish Support Fund | 48360 | 48360 | 46800 | ||
| (ii) other recurring expenses | 20882 | 20882 | 26528 | ||
| (iii) fabric and equipment | 810 | 810 | 2874 | ||
| - governance costs | 646 | 646 | 378 | ||
| Total resources expended | 71198 | 4525 | 75723 | 77663 | |
| Net incoming resources | 8201 | -1090 | 7111 | -13712 | |
| Gains on Investments (realised) | 0 | 0 | 467 | ||
| Gains on Investments(unrealised) | 1975 | 455 | 2430 | -9127 | |
| Net Movement of Funds | 10176 | -1090 | 455 | 9541 | -4118 |
| Balances brought forward | 101520 | 17635 | 19858 | 139013 | 143131 |
| Balances carried forward | 111696 | 16545 | 20313 | 148554 | 139013 |
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St Swithun’s Church, Purley
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2024
Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ £ |
£ £ |
|
| Fixed Assets | ||
| Tangible fixed assets(see Note 2): | 0 | 0 |
| Investments: | ||
| Central Board of Finance (CBF) | ||
| Investment Funds - at market value | 88270 | 86295 |
| Richards Trust - Investments at market | ||
| value | 20313 | 19858 |
| Total fixed assets | 108583 | 106153 |
| Current Assets | ||
| Sundry Debtors (see Note 3) | 14134 | 20812 |
| Cash at Bank - Current | 23727 | 9438 |
| Central Board of Finance - Deposit | 4864 | 4253 |
| Total current assets | 42725 | 34503 |
| Total Assets | 151308 | 140656 |
| Current Liabilities | ||
| Sundry Creditors (see Note 4) | 2754 | 1643 |
| Total current liabilities | 2754 | 1643 |
| Total Assets less Current Liabilities | 148554 | 139013 |
| Funds Employed(see Note 5) | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 111696 | 101520 |
| Restricted funds | 16545 | 17635 |
| Endowment funds | 20313 | 19858 |
| Total funds employed | 148554 | 139013 |
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 2[nd] May 2025, and signed on its behalf by:
Rev’d Fiona Weaver, Vicar
Yvonne Boyd, Treasurer
The notes on pages15 through 21 form part of these financial statements.
14
St Swithun’s Church, Purley
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2024
Note 1: Accounting Standards and Policies
The accounts have been prepared using the accruals method of accounting. Their presentation incorporates the 2015 Statement of Recommended Practice (“SORP”) and the Financial Reporting Standard 102 (“FRS 102”) for Charities.
The statements have been prepared following the model set of accounting policies given in the Guidance Notes issued by the Diocesan Accounts Group, with the following variations:
-
Funds raised by fund-raising activities are accounted for gross, except when proceeds of independently-organised events are handed over to the treasurer net of the organiser’s expenses;
-
Individual items of equipment for use within the church premises or otherwise for the purposes of the PCC, and having a purchase price of £1600 or less, are written off when the asset is acquired.
Note 2: Tangible Fixed Assets
The tangible fixed assets of the PCC comprise the freehold land and building of the Church Hall. No value is placed on the Church Hall, since the PCC considers it to be inalienable property, based on functional considerations.
| Note | 3: | Debtors | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-payments for goods and services | 0 | 0 | ||
| Accrued income | 1222 | 512 | ||
| Income Tax recoverable | 12650 | 20300 | ||
| Other debtors | 262 | 0 | ||
| £14134 | 20812 | |||
| Note | 4: | Creditors | 2024 | 2023 |
| Deferred income | 0 | 0 | ||
| Creditors for goods and services | 2030 | 1413 | ||
| Other creditors | 724 | 230 | ||
| £2754 | £1643 |
15
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2024
St Swithun’s Church, Purley
Note 5: Specific Fund Balances at 31st December 2024
| Unrestricted Funds See Note General Fund 6 General Reserve Fabric Reserve 8 General Purposes Legacies Fund 11.1 Lionel Ralph Legacy 11.2 Rev Donald Broad Legacy 11.3 Restricted Funds Charities Fund 10 Organ Fund Christmas Parcels Scheme 9 Endowment Funds Richards Trust 11.4 |
2024 £ £ 0 6614 4544 37059 44904 18575 111696 111696 8336 7675 534 16545 16545 20313 20313 148554 |
2023 £ 0 6614 645 32213 43899 18149 |
|---|---|---|
| 111696 8336 7675 534 |
101520 9597 7675 363 |
|
| 16545 20313 |
17635 19858 |
|
| 139013 |
Note 6: General Fund Account
The General Fund receives directly all income of the PCC, only excepting donations made in support of external charities, proceeds of fund-raising events, and investment income generated by moneys held in certain other funds. All running and routine maintenance expenses of the church’s buildings and grounds are charged to the fund, together with all expenses related to worship and the clergy, and the annual contribution to the Parish Support Fund of the Diocese of Southwark. Any surplus of income over expenditure in the fund at year-end will be transferred to the Fabric Reserve.
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St Swithun’s Church, Purley
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2024
Note 6: General Fund Account
| Income Pledged giving Income tax recoverable Church collections Donations Total - Income from donors Interest & Dividends Hall rental income (net of expenses – Note 7) Rent (Carter Room & church) Fees After-service refreshments Total - Income from trading Total Income Expenditure Clergy expenses Church upkeep - Insurance Heating and lighting Cleaning Minor repairs & maintenance Church Services- Chancel expenses Organists, music, choir Christian education expenses Printing, postage & stationery Telephone & Internet Fees for quinquennial survey of church Grounds Sundry Total - Church running expenses Parish Support Fund Stewardship expenses Governance Total expenditure Surplus, balanced by transfer to Fabric Reserve Deficit, balanced by transfer from General Purposes Legacies Fund |
2024 £ 21232 6000 1864 7000 36096 2565 19677 5962 248 130 26017 64678 519 1206 4177 360 614 223 1770 133 766 351 0 1440 214 11773 48360 0 646 60779 3899 64678 |
2023 24359 6470 2093 0 |
2023 24359 6470 2093 0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19677 5962 248 130 |
9157 3833 310 0 |
32922 3194 13300 |
|
| 519 1206 4177 360 614 223 1770 133 766 351 0 1440 214 |
620 2824 4413 384 372 281 1932 52 686 312 1428 2715 176 |
||
| 49416 | |||
16195 46800 0 378 |
|||
| 63373 -13957 |
|||
| 49416 |
17
St Swithun’s Church, Purley
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2024
Note 7: Church Hall Income & Expenses
| Income Income from lettings Total income Expenditure Gas & Electricity Water Cleaning Gas appliance servicing & repair Fire precautions Music reproduction licence Minor repairs and sundry Total expenditure Net Income |
2024 2023 £ £ £ 28786 20919 28786 20919 5424 7543 310 271 2824 2704 264 264 94 255 45 45 148 680 9109 11762 19677 9157 |
|---|---|
| 5424 310 2824 264 94 45 148 |
|
Note 8: Fabric Reserve Account
The Church Fabric Reserve exists to provide funding for the cyclical maintenance needs of, and if possible for significant improvements to, the church’s buildings, furnishings and grounds.
| Income Transfer from General Fund Total income Expenditure Total expenditure Net Income Balance brought forward Balance as at 31st December 2024 |
2024 2023 £ £ £ 3899 0 3899 0 0 0 0 3899 0 645 645 4544 645 |
|---|---|
18
St Swithun’s Church, Purley
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2024
Note 9: Christmas Parcels Scheme Account
The Christmas Parcels Scheme aims to bring a little Christmas cheer to needy families and individuals in the poorer parts of the Diocese with gifts of vouchers and grants.
| Income Donations Income tax recoverable Total income Expenditure Vouchers and grants Net Income / (Expenditure) Balance brought forward Balance as at 31st December 2024 |
2024 £ £ 1161 290 1451 1280 171 363 534 |
2023 £ 730 180 910 1083 -173 536 363 |
|---|---|---|
Note 10: Charities Fund Account
The PCC has suspended its commitment to give a portion of its income to charitable giving. This decision will be kept under review. Proceeds of fund-raising events such as the annual Plant Sale and the Patronal Festival barbecue are credited to the fund, together with any donations made specifically to the Fund.
| Income Plant Sale Parish barbecue (Patronal) tickets Epiphany Quiz/ Mindfulness course N Blair-Ford Fiji volunteering Croydon Refugee Centre Community Cinema Total income Expenditure Grants Total expenditure Net Income / (Expenditure) Balance brought forward Balance as at 31st December 2024, available for distribution |
2024 2023 £ £ £ 562 50 348 425 0 520 500 0 245 0 329 368 1984 1363 3245 3245 0 -1261 1363 9597 8234 8336 9597 |
|---|---|
| 3245 | |
19
St Swithun’s Church, Purley
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2024
Note 11: Legacy Funds
11.1 General Purposes Legacies Fund
All legacies received for the general purposes of the PCC are placed in the General Purposes Legacies Fund. It is the policy of the PCC that these funds should be reserved for significant improvements to the church buildings, grounds and furnishings, or to finance developments in the church’s mission. Income generated by the funds is credited to the General Fund.
| 2024 |
2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ |
£ | ||
| Income | ||||
| Legacy – J and E Chilvers | 5000 | |||
| Total Income | 5000 | 0 | ||
| Expenditure | ||||
| New LED Lighting | 810 | 1446 | ||
| Transfer to balance General Fund deficit | 13957 | |||
| Total expenditure | 810 | 15403 | ||
| Net income / (expenditure) | 4190 | -15403 | ||
| Realised gain on investments sold | 467 | |||
| Increase in value of CBF Shares to | ||||
| 31.12.24 | 656 | 2464 | ||
| Balance brought forward | 32213 | 44685 | ||
| Balance as at 31st December 2024 | 37059 | 32213 | ||
| 11.2 | Lionel Ralph Legacy | |||
| Balance brought forward (market value of | ||||
| investments at 31st December 2023) | 43899 | |||
| 1942 shares, CBF Investment Fund | ||||
| Increase in value of investments | ||||
| Increase in value of CBF shares to 31.12.24 | 1005 | |||
| Balance as at 31st December 2024 | 44904 |
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St Swithun’s Church, Purley
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2024
Note 11: Legacy Funds (continued)
11.3 Rev. Donald Broad Legacy
The legacy from Rev’d Donald Broad was assigned by the PCC to set up a bursary fund for discretionary use by the PCC to assist with training or travel costs for clergy or laity on church business, and to assist younger members travelling abroad for charitable purposes.
| Income Dividends received Interest received Total income Expenditure Grant – N Blair-Ford Total expenditure Net Income Increase in value of CBF Shares to 31.12.24 Balance brought forward Balance as at 31 December 2024 |
2024 2023 £ £ £ 382 376 229 124 611 500 500 500 0 111 500 315 1182 18149 16467 18575 18149 |
|---|---|
| 500 | |
11.4 Richards Trust
| Balance brought forward (market value of investments at 31st December 2023) 878.49 shares, CBF Investment Fund Increase in value of investments Increase in value of CBF shares to 31.12.24 Balance as at 31st December 2024 |
19858 455 20313 |
|---|---|
Note: The investments are held by the South London Church Fund and Southwark Diocesan Board of Finance, acting as Custodian Trustee.
21