The PaTLKthial Church CcNJnul of St John's. Polegate the Disthct Churth Council of Sl Wilfrid's, Lower Willingdon.
Truslees'Annual Report and Financaal Report for 2024.
Trustees, Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parish of St
John's Church, Polegate, including:
The Conventional District of St Wilfrid's Church, Lower Willingdon
For the year ended 31st De￿rnber 2024
Registered Chanty no. 1130861
St John's
St Wllfrld's
CONTENTS
Pages
Trustees, annual report, St John,
2to5
Trustees. annual report, St Wilfrid's
6109
Statement of fin8ncial activities
11
Balan￿ sheet
12
Notes to the financial report
131021
Report of the independent examiner
22
Website.. whw.polegate.oTg.uk
Incumbent.. The Revd Chris Spinks, do The Churth l)ffice. Church Road, Polegale. BN26 5BX
Indeptrndent examiner. Wa180n As8ouates. 3(h34 North Street H8ilsh8m. BN27 1DW
Bankers: Bardays Leicester, LE87 2BB arKI CBF Churth of England deposit fvnd.

The Parochial Churc* Cwncil of St John's. Pdegate vnth Ihe Church Council of St Wilfr￿.$, Lower Willingdon.
TnJstees'Annual Report and Finanual Report for 2024.
li
C/pLES ofr
Trustees. Annual Report 2024 for St John's, Polegato
Our alms and purposes as a charlty
The Parochial Church Council (the pccrrrustees) has the responsibilty of co-operating with the
incumbent, the Reverend Chris Spinks, in:
> The promolion of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices
of the Church of England.
> Promoting the whole mission of the church.. pastoral. social. evangelistic and ecumenical.
> To know Jesus better and make Him better known.
> Practical support and care for all people in the parish.
> Providing financial support to those in need and, to other organisations with similar objectives.
What we planned to do at St. John's to achl•v• our charltabk objectlves
In its planning, our incumbent and the PCC have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on
public benefit and the specific guidance on 'charities for the advancement of religion,.
The PCC has complied wilh its duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure
2016, fully recognising its duty to have regard to House of Bishops, guidance on safeguarding children
and vulnerable adults.
For 2024 we planned the following objectives arKI activities to reflect our aim of 'Making disciples of
Jesus Christ, by:
> Enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church.
> Enabling as many people as possible to become part of our church family.
> Teaching, baptising and nurturing new and existing believers.
> M8intaining an overview of worship throughout the parish.
> Considering how services can involve the many groups that Ilve within the parish.
> Putting faff(h into practice. through prayer and scripture, music and worship.
> Offering worship and prayer. leaming about the Gospel, in small group situations.
> Assisting people from all walks of Itfe to develop their knowledge of. and trust in. Jesus.
Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish.
> Giving grants to missionary organisations.
Maintaining the fabric of the church building as a centre and spiritual focus of lrfe in the town.
What we achleved at SL John's and how we affected beneficlarfes, Ilves
It is our great pleasure to welcome people from all walks of lrfe, both from within and outside the parish
boundary to take part in the life of St John's church. to come to know and worship the Lord Jesus Christ
and to better understsnd the truths contained in holy scripture. The PCC considers it a significant public
benefit for people to be able to vK)rship locally and regularly at St John's.
In 2024 there were 103 people on the electoral roll. including 11 who live outside the parish. We continue
to enable as many people as possible to worship at Iwr church. primarily by way of a weekly Sunday
service at 10.30am and a Prayer Meeting at 7.30 pm. Our average attendan￿ on Sunday momings in
2024 was 70 and 14 at the evening prayer meelings. For special celebrations such as Easter and
Christmas, attendan￿ inueased significanty. similarly at the annual Servic8 of Remembrance. when

The Parochial Church Counol of St John's, Polegate wrth the Drstrid Churth Council of St IKilfrid's. Lower Willingdon.
Twstees'Artnual Report and Finan{￿21 RerM)rt for 2024.
range of community and civic groups also attended. For those with djfficults.es in getting to church on
Sundays. a transport Servi￿ is offered.
Children in the church family and wider parish can attend 'Sunday Club. which runs in parallel to the
10.30 Se￿ICeS and provides an opportunity for them to leam rn￿e about Jesus and the bible in an age
appropriate way. During 2024. the number of children attending has averaged between 1 and 6 each
week and it is an aspect of church life which we pray will develop in the future.
In addition. much valued fellovdship arid scriptural teaching conts'nues to be offered at 'house groups,
and in other ways too such as Christianity Explored, an evangelistic course which was run for the first
time at St John's and is designed to support. guide and nurture those who are either in the early stages
of their joumey of faith. or who wish to deepen their understanding of the central truths of the bible.
st John's offers 'Pop-In' sessions twice a month on Wednesday momings as a valuable service to the
community where guests can be assured of a wam welcome. light refreshments and an opportunity to
enjoy puzzles, board games, craft activities and good company. In the winter months. the opening time
was extended to enable people to remain in the wannth of the hall. Pop-ln has been particularly
successful in attracting visitors who are not regulars on Sundays. especially from local nursing homes:
attendance at each session has averaged 34. induding a loyal band of regular helpers.
As is our tradition now, preparations for Easter started with a day of prayer on Ash Wednesday which
included 12 hours of continuous prayer and involved al least one member of the church family
undertaking to pray for 30-minute slots in turn. During Lent many took up the offer to study an
appropriately themed book, carefully selected by the Vicar and this collective experience was much
enjoyed by those who participated.
During June we had the pleasure of separate visits from three of our mission partners. Riste and Tea
from Serbia and Alice Cooper from Tower Hamlets who updated the church family on progress with their
work and how the support they receive from St John's - particularly through our ongoing prayers for
them as well as our financial provision - is benefitting and sustaining them in their ministry.
Other activities which brought the church family and wider community logether induded several lunches
at key points in the year such as Haniest and Christmas, providing opportunities for fellowship and
service to others. notsbly on Christmas Day when the meal was open to the wider communty to enjoy.
We also hosted visits by many primary age children from Polegate School, both as part of their cu￿1CUlar
activity to visit a place of worship and as part of the Christmas celebrations.
The St John's br8neh of Mothers, Union continued to provide opportunities for monthly meetings offering
fellowship and activities. inctuding in July playing host for a picnic held for the Bexhill District of the
Chichester Di0￿san area. In December, Trish Clarke. for many years the 8ranch Leader was presented
with a much-deserved long service certificate.
The church family continues to make regular donations of food, household goods and money to Family
Support Work, which functions in partnership wtth the Chichester Diocese in providing vital services to
vulnerable families throughout Sussex.
As part of our outreach activity there were also leaflet drops to the newer eststes across the town at
Eastsr and Christmas encouraging more local folk to join us in worship at St John's.
Baptisms, weddings, and funerals continue to be farilitated as required.
Malntalnlng the fabric of St John's as a presence to the benefft to tho communlty
The PCC continues to give thanks for God's gracious provision to meet the challenging costs which
arise in maintaining a church vthich was built in 1875 and a church hall which is 50 years old in 2025.
These challenges are exemplrfied by maintenance costs between 2017 and 2022 for the church and
hall of £236,875. Despf£e this, God's gracious support was eNidenced through several generous
legacies over the same peri(xl totalling neaty £172.000.

The Par(￿la1 Church Council of St John's. Polegate Ihe District Church Council of St WiltrKI's, Lower Willingdon.
Tnjstees. Annual Report and Finan(ial Report 2024.
In 2024 the long running issues relaling to the church vesty rcx)f. ￿thIch had been leaking since 2022
were hopefully resolved. Although the work was expected to cost up to £20.000, thankfully the final total
was £12,954. Other routine costs totslled £636.
With the failu￿ of the commercial gas cooker in the church hall kitc*)en, a direct replacement was found
to be uneconomic because of new ventilab'on regulations and therefore a deasion v￿S made to
purchase an electric model suitsble to the needs. The cost of £6.240 was met in 2023 and the
instsllation in 2024 (including the estsblishment of a 3-phase supply) cost £1,282. More generally, the
kitchen would benefit from overall refurbishment as funds permit.
Essential work on the hall heater5 (X)st £648.
The very old carpet in the small hall was repla￿d wtth a more durable flooring type at a cost of £2.053.
5 St John's Road. which is let to tenants (providing valuable rental income). was badly in need of work
in 2023 which cost £4.200. Last year's report identified the need for r&pointing and this work was
completed in 2024 at a cost of £8.924.
Glvlng grants to mlsslonary organlsatlons
The Trustees have historically given away 10% of the church charitable income, primarily focussing on
misslonary work. In 2024, we continued to support Chris & Lotta Strajnic, who WO￿ under the direction
of Crosslinks in Sweden; Riste and Tea Micev, also under Crosslinks. in Serbia and Alice Cooper,
working with the London City Mission In Tower Hamlets. By the end of 2024, the PCC, with the backing
of the wider church family. were able to give each one £3.OLN).
other charltable giving by St John's (see also the Financial Report Note 4).
Flnanclal Revlew for th• whole Parlsh of St John's and St Mlfrld's
The total Parish receipts of General Unrestricted funds received were £196.321 {£246,669 in 2023) and
are detailed in the Financial Report (page 12) and indude no legacies in 2024 (£50,592 in 2023).
Sharlng the whole-parlsh Mlnlstry Costs of the Dlocese of Chlchestor
Each Autumn, the Diocese assesses anticlpated costs for the parish for the following year in respect of
housing, stipends and clergy pensions. and a standard sum for Diocesan central costs, dergy trdining
and a contribution to national church funds. In tum. the local Deanery then asks each church for their
offer to meet these overheads.
In the 11 years up to 2021. the full Parish Ministry costs have been met even when expenditure
exc£eded income, but since then both churches have been paying less than the deanery calculation.
In 2023 St John's paid £49,142 towards Parish Ministy costs. and St Wilfrid's £41.004. Both figures are
less than the full cost of Parish Ministy Costs but were the most we could afford to pay given the
financial srtuation at the time.
In 2024 St John's paid £51,408 towards Parish Ministy costs, and St Wilfrid's paid £42.276. Both figures
£re less than the full cost of Parish Ministy Costs but were the most we could afford to pay in our current
financial situation.
Staff costs
St John's PCC in 2024 employed a Parish Administrator, who is also a PCC member and Trustee. who
received £ 9.519 before tax for her dukn'es during the year. The deaning of the church and church hall
continues to be loyally undertaken by volunteers. work for which the Trustees are so grateful. St Wilfrid's
DCC in 2024 employed a church deaner. Further details are provided in the notes to the accounts.
Trustee payments and oxponses
St. John's PCC supported its incumbent by paying the Vicarage water and environmental charges plus
Council Tax £3.003 (£2.807 in 2023) plus other annual costs towards travel. hospitality. telephone,

The Parochial Churth Counal of St John's, Pdeg8te *ith the District Churth Councal of St Wilfrid's, L(Mer Willingdon.
T￿￿tees, Annual ReFUt and Financial Report for 2024.
postage and broadband amounting to £2,203 (£1,740 in 2023). The repalr costs of the Vicarage pald
by the PCC were £626.
St Wilfrid's House costs. paid in support of the Minister. were Council Tax. wBter rates and insuran
totalling £4.179 {£3.940 in 2023).
St John's PCC members (frustees) were re-imbursed with sums forexpenditure on behalf of the church
as detailed in Not8 5(b) in the financial report.
In 2024. two payments were rnade to 'Bright & Beautifvl Gardans,. a firm owned by Phil Kyte,
churchwarden and Trustee: £472 for dearance work on the vesty root, fencing and repairs to the noti¢
boards and £2090 for essential repaits at 5 St John's Road: door lod(, exterior repairs and painting.
Repalrs to the fabrfc of St John's bulldlngs - see above Maintsining the fabric of St Johns.
Ropalrs to the fabrlc of St WIIMd's bulldlngs - of a total of £8.224, some £2.912 were for fencing.
Why we hold some money In resorve- St John's
See Maintaining the fabric on the previous page which dewibes the 2023 and 2024 maintenan
needs for the St John's buildings, and, because of the size and uncertainty of these costs, V￿ hold a
significant balance of a generous legacy in anticipation of meetirKJ these.
Structure. governance and management of th• ¢harlty durlng 2024
The PCC is registered wrth the Charity Cornmission as required by the Charities Act 2011.lts govemlng
document is the Pan)chial Church Councils {Powers) Measure 1956.
During the year the following served as members of the PCC:
Ex Offlclo members
Incumbent:
The Reverend Chris Spinks - Chair
Readers..
Alan Packard
Ben Pratt
Hugh LovKies. also Deanery Synod member
Wardens:
Phil Kyte, also PCC Vice Chair and Deanery Synod member
Robin Eldrtdge, also Parish Safeguarding Officer
Elected Members:
Katrina Burton
Maureen Pemberton - Treasurer
Mark Pybus, also Deanery Synod member
Pam Sharpe
Mary White - PCC &uetary
This Trustees, Annual Report was approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by the Reverend
Chris Spinks. PCC Chairman
Date:..
7..'.M.... ..2025

The Parochial Church Counal of St John's. PcAegate with the District Churth Counctl of St Wilfrid's. Lower Willingdon.
Trustees. Annual Report and Financyal RepcKt for 2024.
Trustees, Annual Report 2024 for St Wilfrid'5, Lower Willfingdon
Maklng dlsclplos of Jesus Christ
Structure. governance and management of St ￿lItr1d'S
The District Church Council (DCC) is not an offiaal PCC (though we refer to ourselves infomially as the
PCC). but for purposes of retums and other legal considerations. such as this document. we will refer
to ourselves as the DCC working undef the PCC of the Parish of St John's Polegate.
This district is under the supervision of the 'Curate-in-Charge', Reverend Christopher James Styles. He
is also Chair of the DCC.
Membership of the DCC is deterniined under the Church Representsts'on Rules.
During the year the following people sepled as members of the Disth'ct Church Council:
Ex-offlclo members
Curat8-in-charge:
NSM (now PTO):
Warden:
Wardenlsafeguarding officer:
The Rev C J Styles
The Rev Richard Herkes
Mr Chris Mason
Mrs Sheila Reeve
Mrs Yvonne Pressdee
Mrs Barbara Minall
Mr John Cheesman
Mr Shaun Waters
Mrs Maureen Goo(twin
Mrs Sue Read
Chaimian
Treasurer
Secretary (non-member)..
Our alms and purposes as a charlty
The DCC of St Wilfrid's, Lower Willingdon, has the responsibilty of cO￿peratIng with the curate-In-
charge, the Revd C J Styles, in his work within the Conventional District of St Wilfrid's. Part of their
charge is to assist him in:
The promotion of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices
of the Church of England.
Helping to promote in the parish the whole mission of the church, pasloral, social, evangelistic
and ecumenical.
Spreading the fame and glory of Jesus Christ. the King of kings. and Lord of lords.
Practically supporting and caring for people in the parish. from the youngest to the eldest.
What we achleved durfng 2024
Attgndance at worshlp
We recognise that our numbers indude those WI￿rn we consider'vulnerable. arKI we acknowledge that
their safety requires a righteous vigilance on our part. We have not dropped our safeguarding values
and have appointed a new safeguar(ling offi￿r this past year.
There are 92 names on the church electoral roll, approximately half of which do not reside within the
'district' of Mhe parish.. BLrt we have seen new people come in this year. I would estimate about a dozen.
Not all of those wish to go on the electoral roll. but we are right now busy updating the roll for 2025.
About 35 people belong to weekly home-groups, which are intended to encourage growth in faith and
to encourage 0￿dIenCe to the Lord. Jesus Christ. This obedience is part of what we call 'discipleship
to Jesus Chrisl, and is what we understand by our strap line: Making disciples of Jesus Christ.

The P8rothial Church Council of St John's. Polegate with the District Church Council of St Wittrid's. Lower Willingdon.
Trustees'Annual Report and Financial Report for 2024.
Over this year, the minister has personally sought to encourage prayer, which he sees as vital if the
Church is to regain its life and vigour and to escape the current politi'cally motivated woke culture that
even many of our bishops have now adopted.
St Wilfrid's has tsvo prayer meetings that are open to all Christians in this localty. and not exclusively to
the worshipping communty of Sl Wilfrid's. One meets each Friday, at 7.30pm' the other assembles at
6.15am of a Tuesday morning.
Both prayer limes encourage praise and thanksgiving. interspersed with intercession for the blessing
of our community and nation arKI for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We pray among other things. that
God will raise up workers for his harvest, which most definitely means the UK as well as foreign
missions. And we are looking for a great harvest of men, vrfomen, boys, and girts responding to the
gospel of Jesus. We are looking too for the existing Church of Gr￿1 to be inspired with a new confidence
in the gospel. and in its power to save.
In January 2024 we added a weekty aftemoon meeting called We had for four years prior
to this been running this event monthly and largely as a family seNice. We have averaged 30 in
attendance and sometimes we have more than 40 with us - at least 50Vo do not attend the morning
service which averages somewhere between 60 and 70 attendees.
Taachlng. baptlslng and nurturing new and exlstlng bellevers
We dld not bapllze anyone during 2024, though we saw a number of people with a church background
retuming to the faith.
As for nurturing. V￿ presently have a group dedicated to nurturing ladies who 8re near to the Kingdom
or who have recently come into the experien￿ of new life in Christ. The minister's wife leads this group
and is aided by other ladies in the church who have been in the faith some tirne.
Eaty in the year we ran an evangelistic course at which 8 number of non-church people were in
attendance. We are pleased to say we were able to put 2 people who attended but were not local. in
louch with local churches in their respective areas.
Provlslon of the bulldlng for users, guests. and tho worshlpplng communlty
Users of the bulldlng generalty
We continue to hire out our hall for children's parties, and there are also a number of groups who hlre
the building out regularly. These latter indude: a line dan￿ng group, a local choir, and a keep-fit club.
We also accommodate a piano teacher in the smaller. upstairs hall, who works dosely with the school
across the road from us.
For some years we have ￿nted an upstairs office, at low-cost to 'Spinnaker'. Spinnaker work in schools
and take assemblies and various classes. It is also one of the 4 Missionslcharities we support financially.
More recently 'educators' have been tx)oking our various rooms for their actiVFties. These presently
comprise two groups: 'Classical Conversation.. a group seeking to network with home schoolers and
provide some of their tuiiion requirements. The other gn)up is a newly fomied organisation called 'Christ
the Rock,. a solidly Christian network which. like the previous group. meets one day a week on our
premises. Both groups we helped to get established by cutting our ren181 charges (as we did for other
groups such as Weight Watchers and the piano tutor referred lo above). 'Christ the Rock. we support
by fixing their rentsl al half-Tate.
This year Chrisl the Rod( asked me to come and speak at their cornmunty time (these are a bit like
school assemblies). I'm now going in at least once a tenn.
Supportlng local schools
Over 2024 we hosted the lo(31 primary schwl supplying two carol services for the upper trwo years and
their parents. And though my own part was simply to welcome parents. staff and children (and to plug
some of our Chnstmas servI￿s) it was good to see some of these families turn up to Christmas events.

The Parochial Church Council of St John's, Polegate wilh the Distiici Churth Council of St Willn"d's, Lower Willingdon.
T￿$t￿S.AnnUal Report and Financial Report lor 2024.
We also take assemblies in the primary school as well as our traditional visit from the Reception class
to see what we do in a church.
We￿e also managed to link up again with the secondary school (opposite our building). Year 7s are. as
I write. in the PrO￿sS of visrting in their dasses to hear how a church works. I speak aboLrt the layout
of the church and how rt pictures our approach to God: entering the building, baptism, joining God at
table etc. And we￿e just been allowed back into the school (after a gap of 7 years) to answer questions
from year 8s- any question they have. This has been tremendously exciting. Is change in the ai
Supporting local govemment
The hall continues to act as a vots'ng station during local and regional elections. Our hall is of an ideal
size for a voting station also providing a small amount of parking out front.
The worshipping communlty's Intentional 'guest seNlces' and 'guest' directed actlvltles
We have continued to run a 'warm space. event aimed at those who are fearful of turning on their gas
and electric appliances" rnostly older people who gather to play board games. read papers, and chat
over coffee. This is a weekly. seasonal actrvity to accommodate those who are cold or lonely.
The worshipplng community has also developed a specffic ser41￿ for those in the community who have
been bereaved. We call this seNice 'ln Loving Memory,, and after piloting it in 2022, we have now made
it a yearly autumn fixture. It has been well attended.
Messy Church and a toddler group <2lled Minl Wltfs. are provisions that include younger families and
their children. Along with these belong our efforts at Christmas and Easter. This year we added a second
service to our well-attended carol service called 'Famlly Christmas,, this new service was partially run
by members of our new youth club which started in July of 2024.
At present the youth club is a small affair. atrM)ut 12 to 15 children usually tuming up. It is only being run
on the last Friday of the month at present. As with &￿Y@l we are starting small before making the
jump to what we hope will be a weekly commitment.
Spatlal reorderlng of the church bulldlng and fvture prnjects
We added a smart screen to our rnain hall, Iwo years ago, which has been a great asset helping us to
deliver activities where song words or other visual displays are required. Our new afternoon service is
run in the main hall, as does our 'Friendship group, on the first Monday of the month. The latter is
especially well supported by locals who are not part of our worshipping communty.
The kitchen, which has hatches opening on to the hall. make this a great venue for seNces deliberately
looking to develop a less fomial culture. and Whe￿ ￿freShrnents are required. Each of the events above
along wrth Youth Club. Wann Space. Messy Church and Mini-wilts make use of Ihe hall and kitchen.
Lack of finance has prevented me from bringing in a number of structural changes. I would like to turn
one of our break-out rooms into an office for an administrator (and. actually employ an administrator!);
I would like to develop the stairway to the top rooms so that it is no longer open to the elements, by
sealing off the stairway with a glass finish. to develop the landing and even install a toilet (this would
create a suite that ￿Uld be used for future youth-vrfork and be rented out) it would make an ideal suite
for min-conferences. having as it does provision for washing up and storing food and drinks.
There are many other things that could make this church a very welcorning environment and increase
income. but we need to invest in infrastructure and stsff in order to develop.
I wonder in all honesty. rf we will ever pay 100% parish share wtthout such investment. l appreciate this
is looking at things from a purely materialistic point of view. But we have always sought to have our feet
on the ground while our eyes were on heaven.
Like all churches. maintenance takes up much of our finances. We have just replaced a large window
at the front of our church which cost twenty-two thousand pounds. But we are grateful to God that more
than twtrthirds of the cost were ￿Vered by gifts from church members. However, the sanctuary roof is

The Parochial chu￿ Council of St John's. Polegate vthh Ihe District Church CouncAI of St Wiifrid's, Lower Willingdon.
Trustees, Annu81 Report 8rKJ Financial Repcwl for 2024.
near the end of its lrfe and while our quinquennial did not insist on work being done urgently on the roof
(as was the case wth the window). it is onty a matter of time before patching up will rK) longer suffi￿.
Provlslon of pastoral care forpeople livlng In the parish
Provision of low-level needs are delegated through the organisational skills of a very capable team. and
l am called in when needed. and also informed when a visit might be helpful.
Aside from the worshipping communty, there is the provision of pastoral care of the bereaved, and the
happier task of helping those who seek to get married. Sadly. no Ma￿lageS this year (our modern
building just doesny attract couples)" but several funerals were used by GC￿ to get to know non-church
people including a lady who is home-bound. She is one of the people l ty to visit (and my wife too).
I tend to get more calls for help from people who have no church connections and have no intention of
getting involved in the church. than I do from people in the church. I'm presently visiting a gentleman
dying of cancer who was a churchgoer In the Heathfiekl area more than twenty years ago. And I've
aided several couples with marriage problems, and some have had FK)Sitive oUt￿mes.
Provlslon of tanglble support to the poor and needy
We continue to work with Food Bank and Famlty Support. A number of people in the congregation are
now also working under the auspices of 'Hope in Action, to provide furni￿￿ and support for Hope's
housing for the homeless projects, one of which is local to St Wilfrid's.
The DCC 81so contributes from its ino)me to several charities, including Beachy Head Chaplaincy,
which seeks to counsel those contemplating suicide. Spinnaker, a charity involved in supporting local
schools; and tsvo charities with projects based overseas.
It also gives a percentage of funds raised from ts two fayres to local charikn'es deemed vrforthy of help.
We have a Christmas and summer fayre.
Other Local Involvement
At Easter, Harvest. and Christrnas we've continued to see high attendance. with people coming in from
the community. We also do a yearly seniice at the District General Hospital, for DGH Eastboume's
hospital radio. One of our members volunteers for Hospilal Radio, and individuals are involved in many
other activities. some of which are local.
Several members do an after-school club in the secondary school across the road. This is on a
Wednesday after school hours. Members play chess and other games with the children and are
available to chat while providing toasted sandwiches.
While there are plans to engage in street evangelism in the near future. direct, yet low-key. evangelism
outside our four walls, is achieved largely through our ecumenical connections with Churches Together.
In particular, the book table in Polegate's shopping centre is a focus. Several of us support this for an
hour or more per week. standing with the people officially on duty, speaking with passers-by. I call this
'low-key' because it is less confrontational than much of the evangelism done over the years.
There is also a book-table in the Triangle arKI is led by three members of Sl Wilfrid's. The Triangle is
something of a hub in our district with a few shops and a small piece of common ground.
Churches Together also fun the singing in the square which happens at Easter and Christmas, and
which I've been privileged to lead the last cx)uple of years.
The Revd. C J Styles. DCC Chalr on behalf of the DCC of St Wilfrid's. Lower Willingdon
February 4th 2025

The Parochial Church Council of StJOhn's. Polegatewfth the Districtchurch Council of Stwilfrid's, Lowerwillinguon.
Twstees, Annual Report and Financlal Reportfor2024.
Annual Financial Report for 2024
The Parochial Church Councll of
St John's Church, Polegate
with
the Conventlonal Dlstrlct of St Wilfrids Church, Lower Willingdon
in the combined parish of St John's wlth
St Wiffrid's Churches
Rwjsttrql c￿lty 11th1
for the year ended 31 December 2024
C/pLES ofr
10

The Parochial Church Council of Stjohn's, Polegatewith the Distr￿ Church Council of Stwilfrid's, Lowerwillingdon.
Ttustees, Annual Report and Financial Report for 2024.
Statement of financial activities
Urr*lcttrJ
Restr1¢
Total Funds
FLnts
Income and endowments from:
Donations & le
acies
Charitable activities
Other tradin
actwities
Investments
Other recei
ts
Total Income
172.191
419
£9.360
£0
£13211
£0
£0
£22 571
181 551
419
224 948
448
713
713
571
196,321
218 891
249 381
Expendlture on:
Raisin
funds
Charitable activities
Other tradin
actNities
Total expenditure
114
184 995
£0
114
186.725
134
188 631
£0
202 626
204 356
206 190
Net gains {or losses) on investments
Net Income or {net expondlture)
Transfers between funds
.305
-100
4.405
£20,841
£100
£20.941
14,535
43,192
14,535
43,192
Other recognlsed galnsl(losses)'.
Gainsl(losses) on revaluatM)n of fixed asseis
Other gainsl{losses)
Net movement In funds
£20 941
Recon¢lllatlon of funds..
Total funds brou
ht forwa
Total funds carried forward
160 136
153 731
£0
£20 941
160 136
174672
116945
160 136

The Parochial Church Council of Stjohn's, Polegate with the Distrittchurch Council of Stwilfrid's, LowerWiLlingdon.
Trustees'Annual Report and Financial Reportfor2024.
Balance Sheet (also known as Statement of Financial Position)
Total Funds
Total Funds
2.023
Intan
ible assets
Tan
ible assets
Herita
e assets
Endowed investments
Total fixed assets
65,001
65.001
Stocks
Debtors
Investments
Cash at bank and in hand
Total Current assets
3.953
1.138
114.933
118.887
101 200
102,337
14
Creditors: Amounts fallin
due within one
Net current assets or
Ilabllltles
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors.. Amounts fallin
due after rrM)re than one
Provisions for liabilities
Total net assets or (liabllltles)
ear
9,216
109 671
174 672
7.202
160 136
ear
12
174 672
160 136
The funds of the charity:
Endowment funds
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted funds
Revaluation reserve
Total unrestricted funds
Total charity funds
20,941
153.731
160,136
153.731
174 672
160,136
160,136
Thls Annual Financial Report. for the year ended 31 st De￿nt)er 2024 including the notes following,
was approved by the PCC and signed on it's behaff by
OFFICER
Date:
2025
12

The Parochial Church Council ofstjohn's, Polegatewtth the Districtchurch Council of Stwilfrid's, Lowerwillingdon.
Trustees, Annual Reportand FinanciaL Reportfor2024.
Notes to the financial report
NOTE 1. Accounting policies
Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the Church Accounting Regulation 2006 in
accordan￿ with applicable accounting standards and the current {2015) Statetr£nt of Recommended
Practice, Accounting and Reporting by CharTties SORP (FRS102).
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as mOdif￿d by the
inclusion of investments at markel value. The finanaal statements indude all transactions.
assets and liabilrties for which the PCC is responsible in law.
They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe the￿ affiliation to another body.
nor those which are informal gatherings of church rrembers.
Funds accountlng
Funds held by the PCC are:
Unrnstiicted funds
generdl funds wh￿h can be used for PCC ordinary purposes
Designated funds
monies set aside by the PCC out of unrest￿ted funds for
speCrf￿ future pU￿oseS or projects.
RestriGted funds
a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on
those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest: b) donations or grants
received for a specrfic object or invrted by the PCC for a specrfic object. The funds may onty be
expended on the specrfic obiect for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the
end of the year is carried foThvard as a balance on that fund.
Endowment funds - funds the capital of Nthich musl be maintained: onty Income arising from
the investment of the end0V￿nt may be used, either as restricled or unrestricted funds,
depending on the purpose set out in the terns of the original endowinent.
Income and endowments
All income and endowrrEnts are accounted for without deduction for any costs or receivability,
are recognised when there is eviden￿ of entillement. receipt is probable, and the armunt can be
measured reliably.
Donatlons and legacles
Colleètions are recognised ¥then ￿Ceived.
Planned giving receivab￿ recognised wthen there ts evidence of entrtlement, receipt is probable,
and the amount acconds with the Gift Aid dedaration or other record of the intention to donate.
Gift Aid recovered recognised ￿en the income to which rt is attached is recognised.
Grdnts & legac￿ s are recognised when the formal offer in writing of the funding. is received by the PCC.
Charitsble activities
S81es of nrdgazines 8nd study notes are recognised when recelved.
Rents fft)m pmperty are recognised in accordance with the rental agreements. when receipt E probable.
Other tradlng actlvltles
Trdding activities are where inwme is receivable in retum for selling goods or providing services.
Income from trading is recognised either. a) when re￿ived. or b) in the case of Con￿rts. for the year in
question, irrespective of date of receipt. Advance booking5 are induded in creditors until the concert
has taken place.
Investment income; divtdends are accounted for when due and payable. Interest entitlements
are accounted for as they accrue.
13

The Parochial Church Councli of Stjohn's, Polegatewith the Di%trKtChurch Council of Stwilfrid's, LowerWilling(Jon.
Trustees, Annual Report and Financial Reportfor2024.
Notes to the financial report (continued)
All other Incomo
All other income is recognised in accordance with the above overall policy.
Gains and losses on investments
Realised gains are recognised Nthen the investments are sold.
Unrealised gains and k)sses are accounted for on revaluatN)n at 31 December.
Resources used
Resources expended are accounted for on an accfuals basls and are acc£)unted for gross.
Grants
Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over. orwhen awarded where the avrdrd creates
a binding obligat50n on the PCC.
Church Actlvllles
The diocesan parish contribution is accounted for on an annual basis, reflecting the allocation set by
our Deanery. Any parish contribution unpaMI as 31 Der2rt)er is provKled for in these accounts as an
operational (though not legal) liabilty and is shown as a c*ditor in the balance sheet.
Flxed Assets
Tangible fixed assets
Consecrated and benefKed propety of any kind ts excluded from the accounts by s.10(2) of the
Charities Act 2011, Moveable church fumishing held by the Vur and Churchwardens on special
trust for the PCC and which require a facufty for disposal. are accounted as inalienable
property unless consecrated. they are listed in the church's inventory which can be inspected
but are not induded in the financial statements. For other property acquired prior to 2000
there is insuff￿lent cost information avalable and therefore the ￿st of suth assets is not stated
in the financial statements.
All expenditure on consecrated or benef￿d buildngs and indivKSual items costing under £2,000 are
written off in the year they were incurred.
Depreclatlon
Depreciation is calculated to write down the o)st of tangible fixed a&sets, excluding f￿ehOld
properties, over their expected useful lives. The rates generally applicable are:
Fixtures and fittings
Audio visual equiprrtnt
Office equipment
No depreciation is provided on freehold property as rt is the P.C.C.'s policy to maintain these assets
in a continual state of sound repair. The useful economic lrfe of these assels is so long and residual
values so hMJh that any depreciation V￿uld not be material. These assets wll be subject to annual
impairment revFew3. Provision will be made if the￿ has been any peffnanenl dirninul￿n in value.
Investments
Investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date.
Current Assets
Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respeci of fees, rents or other income are shown as
debtors less p￿vision for arrKJunts that may not prove ￿llectable.
Short-term deposits Indude cash held on deposit erther with the CBF Church of England
Funds. or al the bank.
14

The Parochial Church Council of Stjohn's, Polegateimth the DistiKt Church Council of Stwilfrid's, Lowerwillingdon.
Ttustees'Annual Reportand Financ￿1 Reportfor2024.
Notes to the financial report (continued)
Nc*o 2. ArAlysls of Ir￿l￿n8 a￿1 8rKkAThr
RestrithJ
Total Funds
Tc*a F￿￿$
Planned Gift-aided
ivin
excl. tax refu
Planned
ivin
no tax refunds
Loose cash collections.sund donation
Fetes. fund-raisin
event income
ecial a
eals. Gift Da
Grft Aid recovered
Le
acies
Grants
Donatlons & legacies
86.310
8,056
49.807
£720
£0
£490
£0
£3,632
£1,518
£0
87,030
86,084
7,580
51,965
650
27,369
520
28,207
50.592
28.886
172 191
181.551
224 948
Fees for weddin
s & funerals
Charltable activlties
419
419
£0
£0
419
419
448
448
Rent from lettin
erties
Church hall and room lettin
Fund-raisin
events
other trading activities
£0
£0
£13211
£13211
716
Bank and CBF de
osit Inte￿$1
Investment fund dividends
Investments
713
£0
£0
£0
713
571
713
713
571
Other recei
ts
£0
Total recelved on all funds
196 321
£22 571
218 891
249 381

The parochial Church Council of Stjohn's, Polegatewith the Districtchurch Council of Stwilfrid's, Lowerwillingdon.
Trustees, Annual Report and Financial Reportfor2024.
Notes to the financlal report (continued)
Note 3. Analysis of expendllure on: un￿strICted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Endowed
Funds
Total Funds
2.024
Total Funds
2,023
ecial a
eal costs
Fund-raisin
event costs
Stewardshi
costs
Grants costs
.Grw
Investment mana
ement costs
other fundraisin
non-tradin
Cost of Raising funds
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
85
85
112
costs
29
114
29
114
23
134
Missiona
Ministry:
diocesan
other clg
Staff
Church wnnin
costs
Church maintenance and re
Miscellaneous
Bank cha
es
De
reciation
Govemance costs etG
Charltsble activltles
and charitable
ivin
see nE
13.358
£1.730
15,088
16.434
8rish contribut￿n
costs
93,684
10,446
11,155
34 598
16.376
2.755
254
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
93.684
10.446
11.155
90.144
9,035
10.497
31,351
11.842
16,676
283
air
254
2.370
184 995
2.370
186 725
2,370
188 631
Church hall runnin
Other tradin
costs
Bookstall costs
Cost of other trading activiti•s
costs and re
lettin
air
4.098
£0
£0
£0
£0
11,633
5.791
17,424
Total expended on all funds
202 626
204 356
206 190
16

The Parochial Church Council of Stjohn's, Polegatewth the District Church Council of StWilfri(I's, Lowerwillingdon.
Trustees, Annual Reportand Financial Reportfor2024.
Notes to the financial report (continued)
NOTE 4. Mlsslonary a￿1 c￿rItable s4vlry Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Endowed
Funds
Total Funds
2,024
Totsl Funds
2.023
Overseas:_
Serbia
Crosslinks
CMS
Church Mission
Interserve
Sund
rants overseas
Quicken Trust
Homo:.
Sund
ivin
rants
DI0￿Se Famil Su
St Wilfrid's Hos
ice
innaker, Schools outreach
Sussex Gos
el Partnershi
BHCT
London Cit Mission
£0
£0
£0
£0
£1,730
£0
6,000
1.000
650
358
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
358
887
ort Work
42
1,000
1,000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1,000
NOTE S. Staff costs: *r
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Endowed
Funds
Total Funds
2,024
Total Funds
2,023
Remuneratlon
es and salaries
Social securit
costs
Em
lo
er
ension costs
£0
£0
£0
£0
During the year the PCC of St John's employed one part-tirrE person as Parish clerk is also
a member of the PCC whose remuneration was £9.519. She was also reimbursed £245 for church
purchases
St Witfrid's DCC employed one cleaner whose rerNneration was £1.636
Ben Pratt was reimbursed £19 for a conference fee and book albvrdnce
Alan Packard was reimbursed £274 for church purchases
Pam Sharpe was reimbursed £32 for church purchases
NOTE 6. Governanco
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Endowed
Funds
Total Funds
2.024
Total Funds
2,023
Inde
endent examination
Accounts
roductN)n
Book kee
in
Total of Governance costs
2,370
£0
£0
£0
£0
2,370
17

The Parochial Church Council of Stjohn's. Poiegatewrth ttie Distr￿t Church Council of StWilfrKI's. Lowerwillingdon.
Trustees, Annual Reportand Financial Reportfor2024.
N otes to the financial report (continued)
NOTE 7. Analysls of transfers $i-:
between funds
UnreStr￿ed
Funds
ReSt￿ted
Funds
Endowed
Funds
Total Funds
2.024
Total Funds
2,023
£0
£100
£100
13
13
from General to Charit Fund
Total of transfers between Funds
-100
-100
NOTE 8. Flxed assets t&%.i..
Un￿StriCted
2024 Funds
Restricted
2024 Funds
Endowed
2024 Funds
Total Funds
{a) Investments
Market value 01 Janua
2023
Dis
osals at ca
in
value
Purchases 8t cost
Net
ains and revaluation
Market value 31 December 2023
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
Total Ilxed
assets
b) Tangible fixed assets
Cost or valuatlon
As at 01 Janua
2024
Additions
Dis
osals
Revaluatton
At 31 Docombar 2024 (nomlnal Val￿ two wcportles)
nominal value tw
ei
£65 001
£0
£0
£0
£65 001
Charge for Impalrrnont
As 8t 01 Janua
2024
Additions
Dis
osals
Revaluation
At 31 December 2024
Net book amounts
At 31 December 2024
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
nominal value two
ert
£65 001
At 31 December 2023
nominal value
revK)US
Tangible fixed assets consist of two propertEs .
(1) 5 Sl John's Road vrfas purchased in 1990 out of the O'Har3 Legacy. 11 was used for staff accommodation.
first for a Church Amw OffrEr. then for the Church Pastoral assistant. After her redundancy in August 2012
it was let in May 2013 unfumished on a short-temi rental and is relEd on to supplerrent the church income.
For accounting purposes. the propety was revalued in 1996. but there is no legal requirement to
re-v8lue it again until it is disposed of. The nominal house value is the Fund balan￿ £65.000 now.
(2) St WilfrKI's House was built in 1964 at a (x)st to the parish congregation rdised by gift and loan.
It is not owned by the diocese. By accounting oversight, it was never previously been induded in the Parish
accounts until 2016 although it is a parish assel. There is no legal requirement lo include tt
at its cuThent value. and so is entered here at a nominal figure of £1.
£65 001
18

The Paiochial Church Council of Stjohn's, Polegatewith the Distrittchurch Council of Stwilfrid's. LowerWiLlingdon.
Trustees, Annual Report and Financial Report for 2024.
Notes to the financial report (continued)
NOTE 9. Analysis of net assets by fu Unrestricted
Ftjndls
Restricted Endov*Ed
. Fundls.. .
Fundls
Total Funds
2024 Funds
Total Funds
2,023
Fixed assets for church use
Investment f￿ed assets
Current assets
exce
t cash
Cash at bank and on de
osit
Cu￿ent liabilities
Lon
term liabilities
65.001
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
114,933
9.216
114933
101,200
189 150
189 150
160 136
Unrestiicted
Fundls
Restricted
Fundls
Endowed
Fundls
Tolal Funds
2024 Funds
Total Funds
2.023
NOTE 10. Debtors
Gift Aid recoverable
Pre
ments 8nd accrued incorr
Other debtors
£0
£0
£0
£0
Restricted
Fundls
926
926
?r Unrestricted
Fundls
Endowed
Fundls
Total Funds
Tot81 Funds
NOTE 11. Creditors: amounts falllng due withln one year
Deferred income
Accruals for utilrties and other costs
Loans
Other creditors
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
Restricted.
Fundls
7.782
Unrestricted
Fundls
Endowed
Fundls
Totsl Funds
2024 Funds
Total Funds
NOTE 12. Cradltors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Deferred income
£0
Accruals for utilities and other costs
£0
Loans
£0
Other creditors
£0
£0
19

The Parochial Church Council of Stjohn's, Polegatewith the Districtchurch Council of Stwilfrid's. Lowerwillingdon.
Trustees, Annual Reportand Financial Reportfor2024.
Notes to the financial report (continued)
NOTE 13. Ststement offunds
Balances
blfwd
1Jan24
Transfers.
other gains
and losses
Totsl Funds
31 Dec.
2,024
Inc£)ff
Expendtture
Endowed funds
None
Total of Endowed funds
Restrictsd funds
"Buildin
. St Wilfrid's
Charit fund, St John's
Charit fund. St Wilfrid's
Total of Restricted funds
Unrostrlcted funds
General fund St John's
General fund St Wilfrid's
Desi
nated O'Hara Le
fund St Jol
Desi
nated St. Wilfrid's Krtchen fund
Desi
nated St. Wilfrid's Re-order
Designated St. John's Kitchen Fund
Total of Unrestrlcted funds
£0
£0
£20.941
£1,630
£0
£22 571
1.730
100
1,730
100
20,941
£124.936
£71,385
£0
£0
£0
£0
£196 321
133.020
1.064
3,544
-1.164
202 626
-1,164
-100
160 136
153 731
Total of All funds
160 136
£218 891
204 356
NOTE (l) The St Witfrid's Building Fund hokls [￿neY for large wndow repair
NOTES {ii) and (iii) The Charity funds are funds that might hold over funds about to be paid out.
NOTE (iv) O'Hara legacy in 1990 ￿eS unreslricted. For the past detalls see Note 8 (1).
NOTE (v) St Wilfrid's Kitch fund awaits plans to use.
NOTE (vi) Reordering fund, held pending a building plan at Sl Wlhid's.
174 672
.411.￿ J¥laW::
NOTE 14. Analysls of cash and cash equlvalents s
Total Funds
Total Funds
2,023
Cash in hand
Notice de
osits
less than 3 months
bank
Overdraft facilit
able on dernand
Total cash and cash equivalents
40
114893
63
101 136
114933
101 200
NOTE 15. Related partles and transactions
There are none to disctose.
20

The Parochial Church Council ofStJohn's, Polegatewith the DistiKt Church Council of Stwilfrid's, Lowerwillingdon.
Trustees, Annual Reportand Financial Reportfor2024.
This page is for Infomiatlon only and does not legally form part of the FAnancial Ststements
Individual INCOME and EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS
ST ￿lM'S
ST JOHN'S
CHURCH
CHURCH
2.024
£2.023
STWIFRID'S
CHURCH
2024
ST WILFRID'S
CHURCH
2,023
INCOME
Tax efficient
Tax refunds
Other
ivin
Collections
ecial collections and Grft Da
Sund donations & Grants
Le
acies
Parochial Fees
Church hall rooms &
Fund-raisin
Dividends and interest
Insurance claims
ivin
48 733
£49 652
£18,238
9.969
3.240
5,016
6,874
3,040
iv
£520
£32 633
£50 592
£399
£12 261
£0
£59
£0
£174.365
294
125
49
ert lettin
54
659
512
TOTALS
126 565
LESS: EXPENDITURE
Grants
iven awa
Parish Minist
costs
All cle
ex
enses
Cle
housin
ex
enses
Rented
ert
costs
Salaries and wa
es
Church runnin
ex
enses
Church re
airs and maintenance
Hall runnin
costs
Hall re
airs and maintenance
Trainin
Outreach meetin
s and mission
Other Direct Ex
enses
Youth work
Infomiation Technolo
maintenance
Fund-fdisin
and ublicii
costs
Posta
e statione
and co
in
Sund administration ex
enses
Bank cha
es
Inde
endent Examinerfs fee
£12 552
£49 140
£23 956
£300
£318
£0
£23
230
93
114
864
£134
£0
£283
254
TOTALS
133 586
£128 071
EXCESS OF INCOMEIEXPENSES
£46 295
21

The Parochial Church Councll of St John's. Polegate wlth the Dlstrlct Conventlon Council of St
Wilfrld's, Lower Willlngdon
Reglstered Charfty Number 1130861
Independent examlners's report to the tTUStees of The Parochlal Church Councll of St John.
Polegate with the Dlstrict Gonventlon Councll of St Withid's, Lower Wllllngdon
I r8POrt on the accounts of the Charity for the >Ear ended 31 December 2024, which are sel out on
pages 11 to21.
Resp8CtIv6 rn8ponslb511tles of trustees and examlner
The charitvs trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charitvs trustees consider
that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act)
and that an independent examination is n88ded.
It is my responsibility to-
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Chafities ACL.
- to follow thé procedures laid in the general DireCti￿S given by the Charity Commission under
section 145{5)(b) of the char￿e$ Act; and
- 10 State whether particular matters have come to my attentlon
8asis of Indep•ndent examlnerfs stat•mont
My examination was carr7ed out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity
Commission. An examination includes a revièw of the accounting recc*ds kept by the charity and a
comparison of the accounts presented ￿ryth those records. It also indudes consideration of any unusiJ81
items or disdosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from w as trustees conceming any
such matters. The procedures undertaken do n(A provide 811 the evidence that would be required in an
audit and consequenty no oplnion is glven 8S to ￿ether the accounts present a Iruè and fair view and
the report Is limited to those matters set out in th8 Statement below.
Indopand•nt examlnevs stat•m•nt
In conn8Ctlon my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonaN8 cause to believe that in any material respect the raquirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities ACL and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting
requirements of the Charits"es Act have not been met". or
(2) to which, in my opinion. attention should be dra￿￿ in order to enable a proper understanding of the
accounts to be reached
Slgned by Mark R Sellings FCCA (Independent Examlner)
30 - 34 North Street
Hailsham
East Sussex BN27 1 DW
Date:
22