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← Parochial Church Council Of St Nicholas, Harpenden

2024-12-31-accounts

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2024

Charity number: 1130793

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Contents

Page
Legal and Administrative Information 1
Report of the Trustees 2-11
Independent Examiner’s Report 12
Statement of Financial Activities 13
Balance Sheet 14
Cash Flow Statement 15
Notes to the Financial Statements 16-25

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Legal and Administrative Information

Charity number 1130793
Business address Parish Office
St Nicholas Church
Church Green
Harpenden
AL5 2TP
Trustees Reverend P Moriarty
Reverend S Goodson
Reverend J Brown
All members of the PCC
Secretary Mrs S Harvey
Accountants Brendan Philip Chambers F.F.A.
Fusion Accountancy Limited
Marlborough House
298 Regents Park Road
London
N3 2SZ
Bankers HSBC UK plc
1 Centenary Square
Birmingham
B1 1HQ
Key management personnel Incumbent: Reverend Canon Dr Dennis Stamps (until
June 2024), Reverend Patrick Moriarty (Incumbent)
(from March 2025)
Associate Vicars: Reverend S Goodson, Reverend J
Brown
Churchwardens: Kevin Featherstone, Tim Linacre (until
November 2024), Andrew Marsh (from November 2024)
PCC Treasurer: Jacqueline Agg

1

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Report of the Trustees

for the year ended 31 December 2024

The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report are:

Clergy: Reverend Canon Dr Dennis Stamps (Incumbent) (until June 2024), Reverend Patrick Moriarty (Incumbent) (from March 2025), Reverend Sally Goodson, Reverend James Brown

Churchwardens: Kevin Featherstone, Tim Linacre (until November 2024), Andrew Marsh (from November 2024)

Elected members: Jacqueline Agg, Mike Box (until May 2024), Scholastica Brimley (from May 2024), Judith Card (until May 2024), Tony Gilbert, David Howell (until May 2024), Alec Innes, Sarah John (until May 2024), Christina Karema (from May 2024), Anne-Marie Kramer, Maureen Lamburn, Anne MacDougall, Christy Monson (until May 2024), Kate Nesbitt (from May 2024), Linda Oakes (until May 2024), Hilary Pask (from May 2024), Kirsteen Say (from May 2024), Tamsen Wallis (until May 2024)

General Synod (and Diocesan Synod until July 2024): Tim Fleming

Deanery Synod: Julie Aldridge, Rosemary Farmer (until May 2024), Jenny Goulding (from June 2024), Ann Halstead, Ann Bisbrown-Lee, Geoff Payne

Co-opted: Michelle McCulloch

Aims and purposes

The Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden (hereafter, “PCC”) has complied with the duty in section 4 of the 2011 Charities Act to have due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission (i.e. public benefit statement). Every PCC member is a trustee of The Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden.

The PCC is committed to encourage the work of God in mission and ministry in the Parish by sustaining the Parish vision statement:

CONNECT, BELONG, SHARE, GROW - Our mission is to build connections, encourage belonging, and share an appealing faith that grows a vibrant Christian community at every stage of life. In addition, we state that we are an inclusive church, called to be caring, loving and welcoming to all.

The PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent (the Reverend Canon Dr Dennis Stamps until June 2024 and the Reverend Patrick Moriarty from March 2025), and the associate vicars, Reverend Sally Goodson and Reverend James Brown, to promote this vision and to promote the whole mission of the Church - pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

2

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Report of the Trustees

for the year ended 31 December 2024

Objectives

In order to achieve our aims and purposes, the PCC:

Achievements and performance

During 2024 we have focussed on enhancing our ministry to families and young people as part of engaging with the diocesan priorities of Making New Disciples and Growing Younger and More Diverse.

Our incumbent, the Reverend Canon Dr Dennis Stamps, left the parish in June 2024 after almost 12 years as Rector. We are very grateful for his ministry here in our Parish and wish him well in his semiretirement, ‘house for duty’ role in the Diocese of Oxford.

In December, we were delighted to announce the appointment of Reverend Patrick Moriarty as the Rector of the Parish of Harpenden, with the Institution and Induction Service taking place in March 2025. We are very much looking forward to welcoming Patrick and his family to the Parish.

We were also very pleased to welcome Reverend Mark Rodel, as an Associate Minister in our ministry team in August 2024, following his appointment as Deputy Director of Mission for the Diocese of St Albans.

Revd Cath Rindl, our curate, moved on at the end of December and was ordained Rector in the Benefice of Beaudesert, Henley-in-Arden & Ullenhall in the Diocese of Coventry in February 2025.

Our achievements and performance, against our objectives, can be summarised as follows.

The Parish comprises three churches, All Saints’, St Mary’s and St Nicholas’, which offer a wide range of worship opportunities and styles within the broad, mainstream Anglican tradition. Each church has

3

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Report of the Trustees

for the year ended 31 December 2024

its own identity and leadership team giving parishioners the benefits of being part of the wider family whilst maintaining the fellowship, distinctiveness and individuality of each congregation.

St Nicholas’ Church

At St Nicholas’ the normal pattern of Sunday services includes Holy Communion, Sung Eucharist, Morning Praise (a lay-led Service of the Word with a sermon), Simply Worship (a monthly simple informal service with a family focus) and Sung Evensong. Said Eucharist is held on Wednesday and alternate Saturday mornings.

All Saints' Church

All Saints' has one main Sunday service which is on a regular monthly pattern of Service of the Word, Holy Communion, All Age Worship, Holy Communion. A fortnightly weekday Holy Communion service is also held.

St Mary’s Church

On the first Sunday of the month St Mary’s offers a Service of the Word service followed by Holy Communion, on all other Sundays there is a Common Worship Eucharist. The monthly Simply Worship service is an informal service particularly aimed at families, with craft activities as part of the service. Holy Communion is held twice a month on Tuesday morning. A monthly toddler worship service was introduced in 2024.

Home communion is provided for those who are housebound and each of our churches continues to live stream one Sunday morning service to allow people to attend online as well as in person.

Holy Week included a full programme of services across the Parish, including Compline, Maundy Thursday Communion (held jointly with High Street Methodist Church), Stripping of the Altar and Vigil, Good Friday Walk of Witness and Liturgy of the Cross and Easter Day services.

During Advent, St Nicholas’ held a weekly soup and carols service. St Nicholas’ and All Saints’ welcomed local schools for their carol services. Our Christingle, Christmas Eve crib services and Christmas Day services were all very well attended.

ii. Connecting with the wider community by encouraging each church to serve all ages in the community by offering select services through programmes and by making available the use of our facilities and resources.

There are a wide range of groups and social activities on offer, including:

4

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Report of the Trustees

for the year ended 31 December 2024

A wide variety of community and church groups use our Church Hall facilities, across all three churches: including the St Nicholas’ Primary School (for daily lunches); two local nursery schools, a number of Girl Guiding groups and a Scout Group; local dance schools and drama groups; and flowerarranging groups.

The Parish is a significant contributor to local foodbanks (supporting King’s Pantry in Harpenden and FEED in St. Albans) while St Nicholas’ and Cornelia’s have donation points to support Azalea, a local charity.

We have supported British Humanitarian Aid, a charity supporting those in need in northern Ukraine, for many years. Two collections were held in 2024 which resulted in us sending a substantial number of supplies, together with financial donations.

The Parish has good links with local schools. Some of our Ministry Team are governors at local primary schools. Our clergy participate in various activities across secondary and primary schools in the Parish, including lessons, lunch clubs, assemblies, mentoring, Church visits, and supporting STEP, the 2:67 Project and the Haven. St Nicholas’ Primary School holds a weekly assembly in St Nicholas’ church and other schools hold services in the church across the year.

iii. Encouraging belonging by providing courses and classes in preparation for baptism and confirmation and providing social events and activities for all ages.

Baptism services are held monthly at St Nicholas’ and on a more ad hoc basis at St Mary’s and All Saints’. Four adults and six children were prepared for and confirmed in June 2024.

A range of other courses, classes, social events and activities are provided: including coffee after services, home study groups, Bible reading fellowship groups and a Parish-wide Mothers’ Union.

Pastoral and bereavement care is provided by a team across the Parish and the Parish has recently appointed an Anna Chaplain, under the Anna Chaplaincy ministry scheme.

A number of social events took place during the year, including the St Mary’s Summer Fete, All Saints’ quiz nights and St Nicholas’ Christmas Fayre. All these were very successful and provided opportunities for our local community to be involved.

Members of our congregation across the Parish participated in the annual 'Bike and Hike' event across the Diocese in September.

iv. Sharing an appealing faith by creating welcoming churches with quality worship services and a range of interesting courses and events to supplement.

Our Parish website contains details of our all services, events and courses as well as details on life events such as baptism, weddings and funerals.

Music plays an important role in the life of the Parish with a diversity of styles and traditions reflecting the form of worship at each service, ranging from an extensive cathedral-style repertoire supporting

5

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Report of the Trustees

for the year ended 31 December 2024

Sung Eucharist, Choral Evensong with traditional hymns, to contemporary songs and Taizé chanting. Our choir at St Nicholas’ has over 60 members and includes a boys choir, a girls choir and an adult choir. Choir members of all ages are encouraged and supported to work towards the Royal School of Church Music Voice for Life scheme awards.

Our Lent 2024 programme included Lent study groups and Walking for Lent; a series of reflective prayer walks in a local nature reserve. Further reflective walks were held in July, October and during Advent. These have proved popular with people on the fringes of church life, as well as the core congregation. We hear readings, prayers and poems as we walk through the reserve, ending each evening at a local pub.

For Holy Week, an art installation consisting of three black crosses, was placed in the garden at All Saints’, with the central cross turning gold on Easter Day. The Easter Garden outside St Nicholas’ church was very popular with members of the local community.

Three services of thanksgiving and remembrance were held during the year, one at each of our churches.

During Advent each of our churches provided opportunities for prayer and reflection. At St Nicholas’ the Wednesday Holy Communion services followed an Advent sermon series, Women of the Nativity. All Saints’ held a series of workshops on Advent Through Art.

The seasons also offer opportunities for creative outreach, which over recent years has included firepit carols, videos on social media and beer and carols.

We were pleased to welcome the Prayers of Love and Faith for same-sex couples during 2024. All the clergy in our parish are happy to provide such prayers within a service upon request. The PCC unanimously endorsed this decision of the clergy and the use of the newly commended Prayers for Love and Faith. As a parish we are committed to being an inclusive church, called to be caring, loving and welcoming to all.

All three churches are part of the Rocha UK eco-church scheme, with St Mary’s and All Saints’ having achieved silver level and St Nicholas’ bronze. St Mary’s continues to work in partnership with Harpenden Rural Parish Council to keep the local area clean and tidy through regular litter picks. All Saints’ have done work clearing and conserving the chalk stream that runs behind their building, maintaining areas of meadow grass, and hosting a service themed around creation care for the Deanery.

6

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Report of the Trustees

for the year ended 31 December 2024

The Parish relies heavily on the goodwill of volunteers; from those who have formal positions such as parish wardens/district wardens and members of PCC/District Church Councils (DCC), to those who assist with our services, maintain our properties and lead our wide range of groups and activities in the Parish. Without these willing volunteers our church community would not be as vibrant, supportive, inclusive, or as able to be a force for good in our wider community.

Our pastoral visiting teams regularly visit other retirement and residential homes in the town. All Saints’ is continuing to develop stronger links with Lea Springs independent residential home and now holds monthly Songs of Praise services there. They also hold fortnightly service for residents of Willow Court. St Mary’s offers monthly communion at Homedell House retirement home, and the Songs of Praise held there three times each year is very popular. St Nicholas’ provides regular communion services for residents at Field House Care Home, Willow Court Care Home and Arcadian Court.

The work of our Local Ministry Development Team (LMDT) at All Saints’ Church continues to be integral to the spiritual development of that community and the wider Parish. They particularly help with leading worship and in caring for pastoral and spiritual needs of the congregation.

For many years, the Harpenden Money Advice Centre (with volunteers from different churches across the town) and the Harpenden Child Contact Centre have been hosted by All Saints’, and both serve important local needs.

The programme of work to maintain our three Churches has continued.

St Nicholas’ Church

The north aisle of the church roof was repaired and anti-moss treatment applied. The gutters of the church and hall were cleaned regularly and other roof repairs carried out. However heavy rain on two/three occasions still caused water to enter the church building via the west door and areas of the roof.

At the end of the summer the boiler in church failed a gas inspection. The church has been without heating, other than temporary electric fan heaters, since then. Some of the smaller services have relocated to the church hall over the winter. A working group has been reviewing the heating solutions available, taking into account our desire to reduce our carbon footprint as far as possible and the constraints of a listed building and the various permissions required. It is hoped that a new heating solution will be in place by Autumn 2025.

7

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Report of the Trustees

for the year ended 31 December 2024

All Saints' Church

A number of repairs were carried out during the year, including repairing potholes and paving slabs, clearing fallen trees and the addition of a ramp providing step-free access to the church building. Heavy rain led to the car park flooding in September.

St. Mary's Church

The church hall roof was repaired twice during the year and car park repairs carried out as part of general upkeep of the car park.

Financial review

Total receipts on unrestricted funds were £610,191 (£592,265 general unrestricted funds and £17,926 designated funds). Unrestricted voluntary donations of £427,492 were received (£410,643 general unrestricted and £16,849 designated), including £70,128 from Gift Aid. Restricted donations of £19,542 were also received. Planned giving, through the Parish Giving Scheme and envelopes, and non-planned giving decreased slightly during the year.

£539,408 was spent from general unrestricted funds to provide our Christian ministry from our three churches, including the net contribution of £287,603 (stipend and ministry support contributions less the housing allowance received) to the Diocesan Parish Share. The Parish Share provides the stipends, housing and training for clergy both pre and post ordination and the amount each parish in the Diocese is asked to find is calculated on a formula based mainly on a head count of the congregations. Other expenditure during the year increased broadly in line with inflation. The Parish used designated and restricted reserves to cover appropriate expenditure during the year.

Each year we support a number of international and local charities and in 2024 £13,379 was given. This figure includes donations from the profits of Cornelia's coffee shop and various fundraising events held across our three churches as well as specific service collections.

The net result for the year was an excess of receipts over payments of £52,953 on free undesignated funds. Adding bank and deposit balances brought forward at the beginning of the year, the balances carried forward as at 31st December on free undesignated funds (excluding freehold property) totalled £133,768. The total funds at 31 December 2024 were £1,427,110.

Reserves policy

It is the policy of the PCC to hold in unrestricted reserves the equivalent of three months general running costs and salary costs. The trustees believe this amount to be in the region of £70,000. It is also the policy of the PCC to hold an amount in designated funds for likely building works at the next quinquennial inspection and to meet unexpected maintenance and repair costs in our three District churches and the clergy houses. A significant amount of our designated and restricted funds will also need to be used over the next year to fund the replacement heating solution at St Nicholas’.

Included within unrestricted funds is freehold property of £945,280, representing the cost of land and buildings owned by the PCC. These freehold property funds can only be realised by disposal of the properties.

8

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Report of the Trustees

for the year ended 31 December 2024

In addition, the PCC holds restricted funds of £106,336. These funds mainly arose from legacies. The majority will be utilised in the next couple of years, in accordance with donor wishes, for example to fund improvements and significant repairs to our church buildings and the memorial garden at St Nicholas’. These funds are held in cash within the funds of the Parish.

Plans for future periods

Our focus going forward continues to be to deliver on our mission so that we continue to connect with the whole community through a variety of worship services, programmes, social events and activities for all ages. This includes continuing to make available our facilities and resources for use by the community.

Our strategic priorities include engaging with the diocesan priority of Growing Younger and More Diverse in our Parish.

Across the whole Parish, we continue to seek further opportunities to sustain and develop:

To support this we will continue to maintain the fabric of our three churches and their halls.

Risk management

The PCC, as trustees, have assessed the risks the charity faces and have drawn up a risk matrix which identifies the major risks by area of activity, the nature of those risks, the likelihood of the risks happening, and the measures taken to manage them. The trustees review this risk matrix and risk areas regularly at their meetings and at meetings of the Standing Committee and Finance Committee. The trustees are satisfied that systems are in place, or arrangements are in hand, to manage the risks that have been identified.

Insurance cover is in place, and the finances of the PCC are kept under review. The PCC has approved and adopted the Promoting a Safer Church Policy Statement of the Church of England. The Parish follows national safer recruitment guidance for the recruitment of volunteers (including carrying out DBS checks for relevant roles), has in place relevant risk assessments and Best Practice Guidelines for working with Young People and Vulnerable Adults provided by the Diocese. The Parish has committed to respond appropriately and proportionately, in accordance with the Policy Statement and guidance, to any safeguarding allegations and to work closely with the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser and/or relevant statutory agencies when necessary.

9

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Report of the Trustees

for the year ended 31 December 2024

Structure, governance and management

The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under The Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956. The PCC is a registered charity (Charity Number 1130793). The appointment of PCC members is governed by and set out in the Church Representation Rules. The membership consists of the incumbent, the associate vicars, churchwardens, a member elected to General and Diocesan Synod together with members elected to PCC and Deanery Synod by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the Parish. In addition, the Parish Safeguarding Officer is co-opted as a member.

New members of the PCC are required to complete a trustee registration form and are provided with a booklet “Trusteeship – An Introduction for PCC Members”. The PCC appoints a secretary and a minutes secretary, who attend PCC meetings as observers. All those who attend our services are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the Parish, including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. The PCC works with the clergy to promote the vision of the Church.

The full PCC met six times during the year. Given its wide responsibilities, the PCC has a number of committees - each dealing with a particular aspect of Parish life (Finance Committee; Giving Committee; Pay Committee). The remit of each committee is set by the PCC, and it receives regular reports from each, which are discussed as necessary. The Finance Committee oversees the management of the PCC budgets; the Giving Committee oversees fund raising; and the Pay Committee oversees the pay and remuneration of the PCC's employees (with delegated powers to set salaries). The PCC Treasurer provides regular financial reports, which are discussed as necessary by the PCC. A Standing Committee oversees the agenda and arrangements for the PCC meetings.

Each of the three churches in the Parish (St. Nicholas; All Saints'; and St. Mary's) have their own district church councils (DCC) and they each report to the PCC, with their reports also being discussed as necessary. The members of each DCC are elected by those on the electoral roll in each Church district.

The PCC is responsible for the maintenance of all the district churches and halls. It is also responsible for the maintenance of three clergy houses; a rental property on Church Green; and the Parish also contributes to the maintenance of the Rectory.

10

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Report of the Trustees

for the year ended 31 December 2024

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year. In preparing these financial statements the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008.

They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

On behalf of the board

Reverend P Moriarty

28 April 2025

11

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees on the Unaudited Financial Statements of Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

I report on the accounts of Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages 13 to 25.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiner

As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts, you consider that the audit requirement of section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act), does not apply and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act; to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act; and to 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 charity 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 an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

Brendan Philip Chambers F.F.A. Independent examiner

12

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31 December 2024

Notes
Income
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Investment income
4
Total income
Expenditure
Charitable activities
5
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
before transfers
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought
forward
Total funds carried
forward		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
General Designated
funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
£
410,643
16,849
19,542
447,034
430,083
160,798
1,077
10,345
172,220
172,673
20,824
-
-
20,824
16,390
592,265
17,926
29,887
640,078
619,146
539,408
5,128
35,169
579,705
570,118
539,408
5,128
35,169
579,705
570,118
52,857
12,798
(5,282)
60,373
49,028
96
1,360
(1,456)
-
-
52,953
14,158
(6,738)
60,373
49,028
1,026,095
227,568
113,074
1,366,737
1,317,709
1,079,048
241,726
106,336
1,427,110
1,366,737

13

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Balance Sheet

as at 31 December 2024

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
9
Current assets
Debtors
10
Investments
11
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
12
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds
13
Restricted income funds
14
Unrestricted income funds
15
Total funds		 £
11,868
5,688
477,115		 2024
£
945,280
481,830
1,427,110
106,336
1,320,774
1,427,110		 £
13,566
5,561
420,116		 2023
£
945,280
421,457
494,671
(12,841)		 439,243
(17,786)
1,366,737
113,074
1,253,663
1,366,737

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 28 April 2025 and signed on its behalf by

Reverend P Moriarty Mrs J Agg
Trustee Treasurer

14

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Cash Flow Statement at 31 December 2024

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities
17
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends and cash interest
(Gain)/loss on value of non-cash
investments
Net cash flows from investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the
reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December		 £
20,824
(127)		 2024
£
36,302
20,697		 £
16,390
(479)		 2023
£
25,357
15,911
56,999
420,116		 41,268
378,848
477,115 420,116

15

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

1. Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and the preceding year.

1.1 Basis of accounting

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) – SORP FRS 102 (effective 1 January 2019).

The accounts have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved applying SORP FRS 102 (effective 1 January 2019) rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice referred to in the regulation, but which has since been withdrawn. The accounts are prepared on the basis that the PCC is a going concern, and that the PCC is a public benefit entity under SORP FRS 102.

There have been no changes of accounting policy or changes to accounting estimates and no material prior year errors have been identified in the reporting period (SORP FRS 102).

1.2 Going concern

These financial statements are prepared on the basis of the charity being a going concern. The trustees make their own assessment of the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern to assure themselves of the validity of this assumption when preparing accounts. In making this assessment, the trustees take into account all available information about the future for at least, but not limited to, 12 months from the date the accounts are approved.

1.3 Income

All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable. Gifts donated for resale are included as income when they are sold.

Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.

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

Planned giving receivable under covenant is recognised only when received.

There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by SORP FRS 102.

Income from the coffee shop is included in the year in which it is receivable.

Income from investments is included in the year in which it is receivable.

Legacies are included when the charity is advised by the personal representative of an estate that payment will be made, or property transferred and the amount involved can be quantified.

16

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

1.4 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability when it is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.

The parish share is accounted for when payable. Any quota unpaid at 31st December is provided for in these accounts as an operational (though not a legal) liability and is shown as a creditor in the Balance Sheet.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

1.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

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

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

All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or benefice buildings and movable church furnishings, whether maintenance or improvement, is written off as expenditure in the Statement of Financial Activities and separately disclosed.

Land and buildings are included at cost at 31st December 2024.

1.6 Investments

Current asset investments are at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

1.7 Defined contribution pension schemes

The pension costs charged in the financial statements represent the contribution payable by the charity during the year.

2. Donations and legacies

Donations
Grave Trust Income
Legacies
For the year ended 31 December 2024
For the year ended 31 December 2023		 Unrestricted funds
Restricted
Total
Total
General Designated
funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
£
397,093
14,849
12,012
423,954
429,837
-
-
6,530
6,530
-
13,550
2,000
1,000
16,550
246
410,643
16,849
19,542
447,034
407,447
18,176
4,460
430,083

17

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

3. Income from charitable activities

. Income from charitable activities
Printing
Church hall and property lettings
Housing allowance
Fees
Events and trading
Energy grant from Diocese
For the year ended 31 December 2024
For the year ended 31 December 2023		 Unrestricted funds
Restricted
Total
Total
General Designated
funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
£
175
-
-
175
57
75,972
-
1,101
77,073
69,527
51,320
-
-
51,320
51,320
26,071
-
-
26,071
27,572
7,260
1,077
9,244
17,581
20,359
-
-
-
-
3,838
160,798
1,077
10,345
172,220
161,515
1,636
9,522
172,673

4. Investment income

. Investment income
Trust funds
Deposit accounts
For the year ended 31 December 2024
For the year ended 31 December 2023		 Unrestricted funds
Restricted
Total
Total
General
Designated
funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
£
1,069
-
-
1,069
1,103
19,755
-
-
16,755
15,287
20,824
-
-
20,824
16,390
-
-
16,390

18

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

5. Expenditure on charitable activities

Clergy expenses
Services
Activities
Houses
Stipend contribution
Ministry support contribution
Church upkeep
Church halls and buildings
Overseas and home mission giving
Staff costs
Staff pension costs
Telephone and computer costs
Postage and stationery
General expenses
Accountancy fees
For the year ended 31 December 2024
For the year ended 31 December 2023		 Unrestricted funds
Restricted
Total
Total
General
Designated
funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
£
3,583
-
-
3,583
2,159
34,341
623
-
34,964
33,430
8,095
558
11,032
19,685
8,650
19,467
-
-
19,467
21,464
109,303
-
-
109,303
111,831
229,620
-
-
229,620
230,128
56,023
1,749
8,739
66,511
62,713
25,046
1,792
5,550
32,388
36,644
3,358
406
9,615
13,379
17,065
27,717
-
-
27,717
26,086
2,217
-
-
2,217
1,921
9,464
-
129
9,593
7,147
5,726
-
-
5,726
5,598
4,411
-
104
4,515
2,941
1,037
-
-
1,037
2,341
539,408
5,128
35,169
579,705
536,996
11,068
22,054
570,118

Included in accountancy fees is £240 for payroll services (2023: £230).

6. Employees

Employment costs

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs		 Total
2024
Total
2023
£
£
27,717
26,086
-
-
2,217
1,921
29,934
28,007

No employees received emoluments of more than £60,000 (2023: None).

19

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

Number of employees

The average monthly numbers of employees (excluding the trustees) during the year, calculated on the basis of full-time equivalents, was as follows:

2024 2023
Number Number
2 2

7. Trustees' emoluments

The Reverend Canon Dr D L Stamps, The Reverend S Goodson and The Reverend J Brown were paid for expenses incurred in carrying out their duties and their living expenses were subsidised.

8. Pension costs

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme in respect of the employees. The scheme and its assets are held by independent managers. The pension charge represents contributions due from the charity and was as follows:

Pension charge
. Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 January 2024 and
At 31 December 2024
Net book values
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023		 Total
2024
Total
2023
£
£
2,217
1,921
Land and
buildings
freehold
Total
£
£
945,280
945,280
945,280
945,280
945,280
945,280

9. Tangible fixed assets

The trustees are of the opinion that the market value of properties at the year-end would significantly exceed the book values included in the financial statements but they are unable to quantify this excess in the absence of a professional valuation. The costs of valuation are not considered justifiable in view of the intention to retain ownership of these existing properties for the foreseeable future.

20

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

10. Debtors
Other debtors
11. Current asset investments
Other unlisted investments
12. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Accruals and deferred income
13. Analysis of net assets between funds		 Total
2024
Total
2023
£
£
11,868
13,566
Total
2024
Total
2023
£
£
5,688
5,561
Total
2024
Total
2023
£
£
12,841
17,786
3. Analysis of net assets between funds
Fund balances as at 31 December 2024 as
represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Fund balances as at 31 December 2023 as
represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities		 Unrestricted funds
Restricted
General
Designated
Total
funds
£
£
£
£
945,280
-
945,280
-
146,609
241,726
388,335
106,336
(12,841)
-
(12,841)
-
1,079,048
241,726
1,320,774
106,336
945,280
-
945,280
-
98,601
227,568
326,169
113,074
(17,786)
-
(17,786)
-
1,026,095
227,568
1,253,663
113,074

21

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

14. Restricted funds

The movements on restricted funds during 2024 were as follows:

All Saints’ District
St Mary’s District
St Mary’s legacies
St Mary’s car park
St Nicholas’ District
Friends of St Nicholas
St Nicholas’ legacies
Grave Trusts
Cornelia’s Coffee Shop
Other – including collections		 At
1 January
2024
Incoming
resources
Outgoing
resources
Transfers
At
31 December
2024
£
£
£
£
£
8,793
-
(196)
-
8,597
80
2,206
(2,000)
100
386
4,160
-
(2,821)
-
1,339
2,163
1,101
(816)
-
2,448
37,916
-
(5,811)
-
32,105
20,409
-
-
-
20,409
33,741
1,000
-
-
34,741
-
6,530
(4,970)
(1,560)
-
1,869
8,900
(8,401)
-
2,368
3,943
10,150
(10,154)
4
3,943
113,074
29,887
(35,169)
(1,456)
106,336

The movements on restricted funds during 2023 were as follows:

All Saints’ District
St Mary’s District
St Mary’s legacies
St Mary’s car park
St Nicholas’ District
Friends of St Nicholas
St Nicholas’ legacies
Cornelia’s Coffee Shop
Other – including collections		 At
1 January
2023
Incoming
resources
Outgoing
resources
Transfers
At
31 December
2023
£
£
£
£
£
8,793
-
-
-
8,793
4,465
1,880
(6,265)
-
80
5,465
-
(1,305)
-
4,160
1,519
672
(28)
-
2,163
38,863
1,653
(2,600)
-
37,916
20,409
-
-
-
20,409
34,606
10
(875)
-
33,741
3,083
7,550
(8,764)
-
1,869
3,943
2,217
(2,217)
-
3,943
121,146
13,982
(22,054)
-
113,074

Purposes of restricted funds

All Saints’ District/St Mary’s District/St Nicholas’ District: funds set aside for each of the three District churches in the Parish.

St Mary’s legacies/St Nicholas’ legacies: legacies left to the District churches in the Parish.

St Mary's Car Park: money given for car park improvements at St Mary's Church.

22

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

14. Restricted funds (continued)

Friends of St Nicholas: money given for the preservation, repair, restoration, improvement and ornamentation of the fabric and the precincts of the Parish Church of St Nicholas Harpenden.

Cornelia’s: profits from Cornelia’s Coffee Shop to be used for charitable giving.

Grave Trusts: money withdrawn from Grave Trusts, held by St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance, where St Nicholas’ church is the beneficiary to be used for the maintenance of St Nicholas’ Church as set out in the terms of the trusts.

These funds are held in cash within the funds of the Parish.

15. Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

The movements on unrestricted funds during 2024 were as follows:

Designated:
General legacies
St Nicholas’ legacies
St Nicholas’ District
All Saints’ District
St Mary’s District
Designated funds
General:
Freehold property
Free undesignated funds
General undesignated funds
Total unrestricted funds		 At
1 January
2024
Incoming
resources
Outgoing
resources
Transfers
At
31 December
2024
£
£
£
£
£
88,086
-
-
-
88,086
71,266
-
-
-
71,266
32,962
13,305
(2,421)
1,560
45,406
22,997
2,603
(1,804)
-
23,796
12,257
2,018
(903)
(200)
13,172
227,568
17,926
(5,128)
1,360
241,726
945,280
-
-
-
945,280
80,815
592,265
(539,408)
96
133,768
1,026,095
592,265
(539,408)
96
1,079,048
1,253,663
610,191
(544,536)
1,456
1,320,774

23

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

15. Unrestricted funds (continued)

The movements on unrestricted funds during 2023 were as follows:

Designated:
General legacies
St Nicholas’ legacies
St Nicholas’ District
All Saints’ District
St Mary’s District
Designated funds
General:
Freehold property
Free undesignated funds
General undesignated funds
Total unrestricted funds		 At
1 January
2023
Incoming
resources
Outgoing
resources
Transfers
At
31 December
2023
£
£
£
£
£
88,086
-
-
-
88,086
71,266
-
-
-
71,266
27,620
12,758
(7,416)
-
32,962
19,757
4,910
(1,670)
-
22,997
11,952
2,144
(1,982)
143
12,257
218,681
19,812
(11,068)
143
227,568
945,280
-
-
-
945,280
32,602
585,352
(536,996)
(143)
80,815
977,882
585,352
(536,996)
(143)
1,026,095
1,196,563
605,164
(548,064)
-
1,253,663

Purposes of unrestricted funds

General legacies: this fund is used to identify legacies that have been set aside in earlier years in accordance with the then PCC decision that any legacy received over £1,000 would be set aside for a specific purpose as agreed by the PCC.

St Nicholas’ legacies: this legacy fund is used to identify donations from legacies which are set aside for St Nicholas District church.

St Nicholas’ District/All Saints’ District/St Mary’s District: these funds are used to identify money set aside for each of the three District churches in the Parish.

Freehold property: the balance on this fund is the accounts value of the properties owned by the PCC.

16. Related party transactions

During 2024 the charity received £45,089 in donations from its PCC members. The donors did not attach any conditions to the gifts which required the church to significantly alter the nature of its existing activities.

24

Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas, Harpenden

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

17. Cash flows from operating activities

Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure):
Net income (as per statement of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Dividends, interest and rent from investments
Decrease/(Increase) in debtors
(Decrease)/Increase in creditors
Net cash from operating activities		 2024
2023
£
£
60,373
49,028
(20,824)
(16,390)
1,698
(6,814)
(4,945)
(467)
36,302
25,357

25