## **ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS LONDON FIELDS with ST PAUL’S HAGGERSTON**
# **ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2024**
Registered Charity Number 1130974
## **CONTENTS:**
|**CONTENTS:**||
|---|---|
||**Page**|
|**Administrative details of the Charity, its**|1|
|**Trustees and Advisers:**||
|**Trustees’ Report:**|2–6|
|PCC Structure, Governance and Management|2|
|Review of Activities|3-6|
|**Finances:**|7-13|
|Statement of the PCC's financial responsibilities,|7|
|Review of financial position and Reserves policy||
|Independent Examiner's Report|8|
|Statement of financial activities|9|
|Balance sheet|10|
|Notes to the accounts (including accounting policies)|11-13|
## **ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY**
**Charity Name:** The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Michael and All Angels London Fields with St Paul's Haggerston (‘the PCC’)
## **Registered Charity Number:** 1130974
**Members of the PCC (Charity Trustees):** The members of the PCC who served during the year were:
Chair _(ex officio):_ The Revd Daniel Gerrans, Vicar
Churchwardens _(elected for one year at the Annual Meeting of Parishioners, and ex officio members of the PCC provided they are actual communicants whose names are on the electoral roll of the parish):_ Jimmy Asakes and Lily Ejeka (until 1.7.24); Rebecca Marques and Devon Stewart (from 17.3.24).
Lay members of Hackney Deanery Synod _(elected for terms of 3 years, and ex officio members of the PCC provided their names are on the electoral roll of the parish):_ Savitri Maitreyi Maria Hensman, Garofina Voichita Morton and Christina Richardson.
Elected representatives of the laity _(elected for terms of 3 years on a rotation basis, one third retiring and being elected each year):_ Jimmy Asakes (from 17.3.24), Elizabeth Bower, Lily Ejeka (from 17.3.24), Patricia Fraser (until 22.9.24), Maggie Hamand LLM, Matthew Marques (Treasurer), Godwin Ogholo, William F O’Loughlin, Claudia Russell-Banahan, Cathie M Smith, Devon Stewart (until his election as Churchwarden as noted above) and Katrina Stewart.
## **Church address:**
Lansdowne Drive, London E8 3ER
## **Correspondence address:**
The Vicarage, 97 Lavender Grove, London E8 3LR
## **Independent Examiner:**
Rev John Irwin FCA AMCT Chartered Accountant
## **Bankers:**
National Westminster Bank plc Reliance Bank Limited
Cover Idmage: _Angels and Shepherds, by local artists Fiona Eastwood and daughter Primrose aged 8, with homage to the mural in St Michael’s Church by John Hayward (1929–2007)_
1
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT**
The PCC presents its Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024.
St Michael & All Angels London Fields with St Paul’s Haggerston (‘the Parish’) is the Church of England (Anglican) Parish Church for London Fields, Hackney, London E8.
The Accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 11 below and comply with the PCC’s governing documents, applicable laws and the requirements of the 2016 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP (FRS 102)).
## **PCC STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing Documents**
The PCC is governed by two pieces of Church of England legislation, called Measures. These are:
- The Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 as amended (‘the 1956 Measure’).[1]
- The Church Representation Rules, contained in Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969, as amended (‘the CRR’).[2]
## **Charitable status, purposes and activities**
The PCC is registered with the Charity Commission. Its primary charitable purpose is the advancement of the Christian religion within the parish. Under section 2(2) of the 1956 Measure, as amended, this purpose includes the following functions:
- _(a) co-operation with the minister in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical;_
- _(b) the consideration and discussions of matters concerning the Church of England or any other matters of religious or public interest, but not the declaration of the doctrine of the Church on any question;_
- _(c) making known and putting into effect any provision made by the diocesan synod or the deanery synod, but without prejudice to the powers of the council on any particular matter;_
- _(d) giving advice to the diocesan synod and the deanery synod on any matter referred to the council;_
- _(e) raising such matters as the council consider appropriate with the diocesan synod or deanery synod;_
- _(f) appointing sidesmen (who are also known as assistants to the churchwardens)._
The PCC’s activities include:
- Regular public worship open to all.
- The provision of sacred space for personal prayer and contemplation.
- Pastoral work, including visiting the sick and bereaved.
- Teaching Christianity through sermons, courses and small study groups.
- Taking religious assemblies in the parish primary school, St. Paul’s with St Michael’s School.
- Providing services to the community, especially through the church hall and hosting visits by community schools to the church.
PCC members are charitable trustees, so all the provisions of charity law apply to their corporate responsibilities, financial management and decision making, as explained in guidance of the General Synod’s Legal Advisory Commission at https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2017-12/legal%20position%20of%20pcc%20members%20final.pdf. Its members have complied with their duty to have due regard to the Commission’s public benefit guidance[3] when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.
> 1 The full text of the 1956 Measure, before the addition of paragraph (f) by the Church Representation and Ministers Measure 2019 Schedule 2 paragraph 10 (see http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukcm/2019/1/schedule/2/paragraph/10#schedule-2-paragraph-10-2) is available on the Statute Law Database at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukcm/Eliz2/4-5/3/contents.
> 2 The CRR were replaced by the Church Representation and Ministers Measure 2019 section 1 and Schedule 1 (see http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukcm/2019/1/section/1). The text of the rules as currently in force is available online at https://www.churchofengland.org/more/policy-and-thinking/church-representation-rules.
> 3 Comprising: _Public benefit: the public benefit requirement (PB1)_ : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-benefit-the-public-benefitrequirement-pb1; _Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)_ : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-benefit-running-a-charity-pb2; and _Public benefit: reporting (PB3)_ : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-benefit-reporting-pb3.
2
**REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES**
## **Annual Report for 2024 on the proceedings of the PCC and the activities of the Parish generally**
## _(as required by Rule M5(1)(b) of the Church Representation Rules)_
## **Mission during the year**
The task of furthering _in the parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical_[4] belongs not just to the PCC but to all church members. The PCC’s special function is to provide leadership in order to _promote_ that mission. This Report summarises the main activities undertaken by the PCC to carry out its charitable purposes for the public benefit, and its main achievements.[5]
## **(1) The proceedings of the PCC**
In addition to the church’s core role of offering public worship of, and witness to, God as revealed to humanity in Jesus Christ, in order more effectively to promote in the parish the church’s _‘whole mission’_ , the PCC periodically identifies specific objectives which are distilled in a Mission Action Plan (MAP) and at each of its full meetings reviews progress in achieving them. In 2024 the PCC formally met 7 times, also conducting some business through Committees. The table below lists the goals set in the current MAP and the progress in achieving them by the end of the year under review.
|below lists the goals set in the current MAP and the progress in achieving them|below lists the goals set in the current MAP and the progress in achieving them|below lists the goals set in the current MAP and the progress in achieving them|by the end of the year under review.|
|---|---|---|---|
|**St Michael & All Angels London Fields Mission Action Plan 2022-2025**|||_Approved by the Parochial Church Council 26/01/2022 and subsequently updated_|
|**Vision:**|Being**_Open t o God, open t o all_** means being passionate about:|||
|• loving and serving God|in joyful, reverent, orderly, welcoming, creative and imaginative worship|||
|• lovingneighbour by|• beinga communitywhere all are known and valued|||
||• sharing the Good News of God's love|||
||• beingagents of the new creation through service,creativity, growth and development|||
|**Act ion:**|**_In addit ion t o what is alr eady happening, we aim t o:_**|||
|**Wha t**|**How**|**Who**|**P r ogr e ss**_at 31/12/2024_|
|**_1. Conf ident_**
**_Disciples_**|Explore other ‘gateway activities’ we might be able to offer|PCC|21.6.23 PCC agreed (1) some already being provided i.e. school visits, confirmation classes and
carol service should be promoted more; (2) Summer outings for children, families and older people
are also ‘gateway activities’ (3) to allocate time at a future meeting for further discussion about
such activities|
||Upgrade sound system in church to make our worship more accessible to people inside and outside
the church building|Working Group comprising Cathie (Chair), Elizabeth,
Daniel, Devon and (from 4.7.22) Christina Richardson|Achieved Dec 2022|
||_And see 4 and 5 below_|||
|**_2. Compassionat e_**
**_Communit ies_**|Participate in the Eco Church Programme|(1) Maggie to complete questionnaire; Daniel to explore
with (2) Deanery Chapter colleagues possibilities for
collaboration or sharing good practice in this area|(1) 16.12.22 Eco Church Bronze Award gained; 23.2.23 free Eco Audit awarded by City Bridge Trust;
21.6.23 PCC decided in principle, and subject to funding, to implement some or all of the
recommendations in the Eco Audit; 31.1.24 PCC decided to prioritise hall by replacing current gas
boiler heating with a heating system powered by air source heat pumps and improve insulation of
ceiling, windows and external wall; 25.7.24 funding application submitted to City Bridge Trust
based on detailed plans; 28.11.24 notified funding application not successful; alternatives being
explored (2) achieved (discussed at Deanery Chapter 14.10.22 and 17.1.23; Oct 23 Daniel appointed
Creation Care Area Lead)|
||Disability Ministry|Disability Working Group: Enable all including those
perceived as 'disabled' to participate fully and fulfillingly
and find acceptance and value at St Michael’s|25.9.24 Disability Champions appointed. 27.11.24, Disability Policy approved and Disability
Working Group appointed.|
||_And see 4 and 5 below_|||
|**_3. Cr eat ive Gr owt h_**|Seek to build back Children and Youth Ministry better by trying to:|||
||i. Recruit (1) a paid Coordinator to administer and support All Stars and Youth Group activities on
Sundays and if possible at other times and (2) a Youth Worker to be paid on a sessional basis|Children and Youth Ministry Team ('CYMT')|Volunteer Coordinator for All Stars recruited w.e.f 5.12.21, stepped down 31.8.24; 27.11.24 PCC
decided after stewardship campaign to seek to recruit Children’s Worker|
||ii. Resume altar serving|Daniel to help Katrina coordinate recruitment & rota|Ongoing: new YP servers recruited from Autumn 22|
||iii. Explore how we can better hear the voices of young people in shaping our church for the future
(e.g. reporting on Children and Youth Ministry at our Annual Parochial Church Meeting, taking part
in PCC or its Committees) and equip families to raise their children in the Christian faith|
Children’s Champion, CYMT|5.12.21 Jon Hart volunteered to offer training; 26.3.23 PCC received children's ideas and asked
CYMT to follow up; 10.9.23 CYMT meeting|
||
_And see 4 and 5 below_|||
|**_4. S t r iving f or_**
**_r acial just ice_**|Open up membership of the Steering Group to others interested in taking part, especially younger
people, and try to be more inclusive of younger adults generally
|Vicar, Steering Group|29.6.22 Jon Hart and Katherine Gerrans added; 30.10.22 Mabel Anyiam added|
||Explore what we can we do to increase diversity in leadership and vocations, especially young
~~eole~~|Vicar, Steering Group, everyone|Ongoing: new YP servers recruited from Autumn 22|
||~~pp~~
Review our liturgy, icons, artwork & memorials to see if they are racially just|Steering Group|Achieved: 10.6.22 new order of service approved for All Saints Sunday with Thanksgiving for the
Holy Ones of God more representative of worldwide church, in use from 30.10.22; 14.6.22
purchased African Nativity set; 29.6.22 PCC approved £250 budget for new books for children’s
library and other children’s resources; July 22 new children’s books bought; 27.11.24 PCC approved
new Order of service for Racial Justice Sunday|
||Explore what we need to grow in our theological understanding of racial justice|Steering Group|Ongoing: from 2021, aspiration to devote 3 Sundays a year to racial justice: Racial Justice Sunday
in February, the Sunday in June nearest Windrush Day, and All Saints, with an outside member of
the clergy to preach on one of these Sundays and lay members of the congregation on the other
two; 11.2.22 Purchased Africa Bible Commentary for reference by preachers etc_._|
|**_5. Be coming saf er_**|Ask our Parish Safeguarding Officer ('PSO') to report on whether in line with our Safeguarding
Policy (a) all staff and officers’ DBS checks are in place (b) all parish safeguarding roles are filled
(c) a system is in place to ensure safeguarding training is kept up to date (d) there is any more we
can do to create a safeguarding culture in and around our church|PCC, PSO|Ongoing. Initial report by PSO to PCC 17.11.21, recommendations adopted; Parish Safeguarding
Dashboard now in active use as tool to monitor ongoing compliance with relevant Guidance|
|**_6. The ot her 5 ‘key_**
**_London 2030_**
**_mission t hemes’ _**|_(i.e. 1: mental health and isolation; 2 modern slavery, refugees & asylum seekers; 3 debt and_
_financial wellbeing; 4 serious youth violence; 5 housing and homelessness)_Monitor and promote
opportunities for training and/or guidance in these and other areas, for example via|Vicar|Ongoing|
|**_7 . Review_** _this Mission A_|_ction Plan regularly and where appropriate update it_|PCC|Ongoing|
As part of its function, the PCC also controls the parish’s financial resources and accounts for its stewardship of them in its annual financial statements, which are presented separately pursuant to Rule M5(1)(c) of the CRR.
4 Section 2(2)(a) of the 1956 Measure. 5 As required by Regulation 40 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (see http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/629/regulation/40/made).
3
Actions achieved or planned during the year under review included, in addition to the MAP goals and actions listed above and the activities listed later in this Report:
- (1) Agreeing to participate, with other parishes in the Catholic liturgical tradition in Hackney, in a _**Catholic Mission Covenant**_ . expressed to be made with God (committing to be _‘conformed to the mind of Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit’_ ), with _one another_ (committing _‘to renewing bonds of trust and friendship and to strengthening relationships between people, clergy and parishes’_ ) and with _our neighbourhoods_ (committing _‘to listening to our neighbours, discerning God’s action in our midst’_ ), by which we undertake, amongst other things, to:
- Pray regularly for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, for being attentive and responsive to God’s mission in Hackney, and for the welfare and flourishing of one another.
- Ensure we have workable and ambitious _Mission Action Plans_ and share good practice with one another.
- Equip congregation members so that they are confident in their discipleship and able to share their faith with others and draw them into the life of the church.
- Work with the _Stepney Area Dean of Mission_ and others to access high quality training.
- Seek out and learn from people and parishes who are doing effective mission, especially in the Catholic tradition.
- Engage with the _Centre for Theology & Community_ to benefit from their experience and expertise.
- Cooperate, when appropriate, in activities such as introductory and nurture courses, confirmation preparation, pilgrimages, vocations work, promoting a ‘rule of life’.
- (2) Recruiting a _**part-time Parish Administrator**_ to reduce the administrative burden previously borne by the Vicar, in response to (a) a significant and welcome increase in _church hall bookings_ since the COVID-19 pandemic, and (b) the _Covenant for Clergy Care and Wellbeing_ adopted by General Synod as an Act of Synod in 2020 and which encourages a mutual commitment by clergy and laity _‘to work together to coordinate and improve our approach to clergy care and wellbeing so that the whole Church may flourish in the service of the mission of God’_ .
## **(2) The activities of the Parish generally**
## **Public worship**
Sunday services were maintained in Church throughout the year and livestreamed for those preferring to remain at home for whatever reason. Some of those unable to connect digitally or attend in person continued to be supported by weekly bulletins delivered to their homes. Services continued to be enriched musically by St Michael’s _Singing Group_ and _Choir_ . Thanks are due, in particular, to _David Carr_ and _Maggie Hamand_ (Licensed Lay Ministers); _Mabel Anyiam_ (Singing Group leader), _Jon Hart_ (Acting Director of Music) and _Elizabeth Bower_ (Organist). _Weekday morning Eucharists_ continued, and _online Evening Prayer on Thursdays_ continued to be open to all.
## **Pastoral Care, Nurture and Outreach**
Overall responsibility for pastoral care lies with the Vicar, who during the year received valuable help and support from (in particular): _Godwin Ogholo_ (Commissioned Pastoral Assistant) and Churchwardens _Jimmy Asakes_ and _Lily Ejeka_ , who stepped down at the 2024 Annual Meeting, having both completed 6 years in post, the maximum permitted term of office, and _Rebecca Marques_ and _Devon Stewart_ , who were elected in their place. Significant areas of pastoral care, nurture and outreach included the following:
- (a) **Easter and Christmas:** As in previous years, before _Holy Week_ and in _Advent_ , attractive Easter and Christmas cards featuring images of, or drawn from, the fine artwork in St Michael’s Church and containing details of and invitations to upcoming services and other events were distributed across the parish by members of the congregation, and in the run-up to Christmas, an enthusiastic group of _Carol Singers_ sang in _Broadway Market_ and the _Blackstone Estate_ , publicising our Christmas services and increasing our local profile.
- (b) **Children and Youth Ministry:** Ministry with children and young people was taken forward in several ways during the year, including:
- Our strong relationship with _St Paul’s with St Michael’s CE Primary School_ (‘SPWSM’) continued, with
- i. _Weekly Assemblies in School_ , supported by a team including, in addition to the Vicar, _Jon Hart_ , a member of St Michael’s, and _Gavin and Mary Dunn, Ministers at the Salvation Army, Cambridge Heath_ ;
- ii. A _Service of Blessing_ for the School at the start of the Autumn Term and new School Year;
- iii. _School Services in Church_ at the end of the Spring Term, marking _Holy Week and Easter_ ; at the end of the Summer Term, commemorating the achievements of _Leavers_ and the end of the School Year; at _Harvest_ , with a substantial and generous collection from the school community for _Hackney Foodbank_ ; and at the end of the Autumn Term, celebrating _Christmas_ ;
- iv. Termly _Eucharists_ for each Key Stage;
- v. An annual _Memorial Service_ for each Key Stage, to support those bereaved or grieving in the school community;
- vi. A _Course on the Christian faith_ for Year 6 pupils, leading to _Confirmation_ for those wishing it; and
- vii. The Vicar and 2 other church members serving as _Governors_ during the year.
- _Local Community Primary Schools_ brought classes and year groups on _visits_ to St Michael’s church with structured programmes delivering part of their RE Curricula. During the year, 4 groups visited from _Gayhurst School_ , 3 from _London Fields School_ and 1 from _Queensbridge School_ .
- Young people assisted as _Altar Servers_ and at _St Michael’s Christmas Fete_ .
4
- Supported by generous pledges from members of the congregation in response to a fundraising campaign, the PCC resolved in November to try to recruit a paid part-time _Children’s Worker_ to lead, enable and develop St Michael’s ministry with and among children aged 0-11 and their families. It is hoped to recruit a suitable candidate during 2025.
- St Michael’s in collaboration with ecumenical partners continued its partnership with the Christian detached Youth Work charity _XLP_ https://www.xlp.org.uk/ (whose vision is _‘creating positive futures for young people’_ ), with its ongoing pledge to contribute £200pa towards the cost of XLP’s work in Hackney.
- (c) **Adult Education, Nurture, Spirituality and Fellowship:** Ways in which this was promoted during the year included:
- Fortnightly _Bible Studies_ continuing on Thursday lunchtimes.
- During Lent, members of St Michael’s participated in a _Lent Course_ exploring what contemporary Christians can learn from St Paul's correspondence with his newly planted church in Corinth.
- • A _Parish Retreat_ was organised to take place in June 2025.
- (d) **Pastoral Offices:** During the year 8 _baptisms_ took place, 16 people were _confirmed_ , one _marriage_ was solemnized, and parish clergy and/or Licensed Lay Ministers officiated at 7 _funerals_ , of which 5 were held in church. In addition, following consultation of the PCC and congregation, the _Prayers of Love and Faith_ for samesex couples (https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/prayers-of-love-and-faith.pdf, as authorised by the House of Bishops etc from time to time) began to be offered at St Michael’s.
- (e) **Racial Justice:** The _Steering Group_ set up in 2020 as a Committee of the PCC, prompted by the _Black Lives Matter_ movement, to help us strive for greater racial justice in the church and the world, continued its work. The action taken during the year in furtherance of commitments in our current Mission Action Plan included 3 main Sunday services focusing on this issue: _Racial Justice Sunday_ , now the second Sunday in February, _Windrush Sunday_ in June and _All Saints Sunday_ in late October or early November.
- (f) **Accessibility and inclusion:** St Michael’s already has step-free access, WC facilities for wheelchair users, a hearing loop and free WiFi, but we want disabled people to play a full part in our worship and common life. Recognising that more needs to be done to ensure they can, and to help make it happen, during the year the PCC adopted a _Parish Disability Policy_ https://stmichaelslondonfields.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2024/11/Disability-Policy-approved-241127.pdf and appointed a _Disability Working Group_ to drive its implementation.
- (g) **Safeguarding** : With support from our _Parish Safeguarding Officers_ , _Dorian Stewart_ and _Samantha O’Loughlin_ , the PCC has sought to comply with its duty under section 5 of the _Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016_ to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. In particular, during the year it received regular reports from its _Safeguarding Officers_ , continued to seek to adhere to safer recruitment practices in relation to individuals working with children and vulnerable adults in accordance with relevant guidance issued by the National Church and the Diocese of London,[6] including the provision of appropriate safeguarding training, and utilised the _Parish Safeguarding Dashboard_ provided by the Diocese of London in order to monitor compliance. In addition, following the unnecessarily strip-searching of a 15-yearold girl (anonymised as ‘Child Q’ in the ensuing safeguarding review) by police at a school in Hackney in 2020, representatives of St Michael’s on Hackney Deanery Synod were instrumental in Synod’s decision in April 2024 to commend a _Charter for Valuing Children & Young People in Hackney Deanery Churches_ for adoption by parishes. Intended to reassure parents, caregivers, children and young people by clearly setting out our absolute allegiance to Jesus Christ in his uncompromising care and welcome for all children, the Charter commits parishes adopting it not to allow anyone under 18 to be strip searched on any church premises or at any activities run by the church. St Michael’s PCC adopted the Charter in June 2024: see https://stmichaelslondonfields.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Child-Q-Charter-St-Michaels.pdf.
- The PCC records its gratitude to everyone who helped with or supported these activities.
## **Ecumenical**
For the 11[th] year running, during the _Week of Prayer for Christian Unity_ (18-25 January) St Michael’s joined 7 other local churches spread across 5 different denominations, each of which hosted a service on one of the 8 days of the Week. St Michael’s and our neighbours at _Hackney Methodist Church_ in Mare Street also continued our collaboration in response to the Anglican-Methodist Covenant signed in 2003 (https://anglican-methodist.co.uk/covenant-text/), with members of St Michael’s once again joining _Hackney Methodist Church_ for their annual _Covenant Service_ in January and members of Hackney Methodist Church coming to St Michael’s for our _Patronal Festival (St Michael & All Angels)_ in September.
## **Social, Community and Environmental Engagement**
During 2024:
Under St Michael’s _Open Church Programme_ , the church building, which is listed (Grade II) and a beautiful sacred space, was open to visitors and the wider community most Wednesday mornings in furtherance of our mission to be _Open to_
> 6 National Church: see https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/policy-and-practice-guidance/templates-and-resources, particularly the Parish Safeguarding Handbook https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/ParishSafeGuardingHandBookAugust2019Web.pdf, the House of Bishops’ guidance _‘Promoting a Safer Church; Safeguarding Policy Statement’_ https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/201712/PromotingSaferChurchWeb.pdf and _‘Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance’_ , see https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/safeguarding-e-manual/safer-recruitment-and-people-management-guidance). Diocese of London: see https://safeguarding.london.anglican.org/parish-resources/).
5
_All_ . During colder months, in response to the impact increased energy costs have had on many in our community, the Church was heated during Open Church sessions in colder weather and promoted as a _warm welcome space_ .[7] The PCC records its gratitude to _Lily Ejeka_ , volunteer steward for Open Church.
- (a) _St Michael’s Church Hall_ continues to be an important resource in service of our community. Benefiting from a fully-equipped kitchen, Wifi, a broadband-connected 55” TV screen in the hall, and disabled access and WC facilities for mobility-restricted users, it is a valuable community resource for hire by community groups wishing to operate in London Fields. In addition to our own use of this space, regular users during the year included:
- _Lucy Sparkles & Friends:_ (music classes for pre-schoolers)
- _Perform Workshops_ (children’s drama classes)
- _Pilates_ (an adult mat class)
- _Tap Classes_ (for adults)
- _Hackney Ballet_ (lessons for children and adults)
- _Baby Sensory_ (sensory classes for babies)
- _8[th] Haggerston (St. Michael’s) Rainbows, Brownies and Guides_
- _Puppy Training Classes_
- _Moving Shadow Karate Club_
- a _Playgroup/Book Club_ for Japanese speaking children
- _Divine Youth Association’s Youth Forum_
- _Eternal Sacred Order of The Morning Star Church_ ; and
- _House of Prayer Church, Hackney_
St Michael’s Hall is also used as a polling station and for children’s parties and other social gatherings.
- (b) Regarding _Creation Care_ (amplifying the summary in the Mission Action Plan of progress achieved under ‘Compassionate Communities’), building on the PCC’s award in 2022 of a _Bronze Certificate_ under A Rocha’s _Eco Church Programme_ https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/ and in response to the General Synod’s 2020 resolution calling on Parishes to work towards _net zero carbon emissions by 2030_ , during 2024 the PCC resolved to prioritise works on the Church Hall due _inter alia_ to its significantly greater usage and carbon footprint than the Church; developed detailed plans to replace the current gas-fired boiler heating the hall with a heating system powered by suitable air source heat pumps and to insulate the ceiling, windows and walls; and embarked on fundraising for the associated costs, a process still under way at the end of the year.
- (c) St Michael’s _Social Events Organising Team_ organised a _parish barbecue_ in July, the first held since the COVID-19 pandemic, and 2 well-received _day outings_ . The PCC records its gratitude to _Vicky Morton_ , Chair of the Team, and its other members for organising and supporting these activities.
- (d) St Michael’s _Social Group_ , capably coordinated by _Rebecca Marques_ , continued to meet fortnightly with a programme which included several excursions.
- (e) St Michael’s long-established annual _Christmas Fete_ was held in the church and hall, thanks to the hard work of _Sue Carr, Sally Smith, Dave Carr, Bill O’Loughlin, Sam O’Loughlin, Cathie Smith_ and many others, giving pleasure to many in the community, enhancing St Michael’s profile within it and raising more than £2,000 for church funds.
- (f) _Collections_ or _donations_ were made or pledged for: (a) _Student Christian Movement_ ; (b) _Macmillan Cancer Care_ , with a Fundraising Cake Sale which raised £230; (c) _XLP_ (see above); and (d) _Hackney Foodbank_ , for which Money collections at our Carol Singing and Carol Service raised £436.97, and as in previous years, in Lent and at Harvest, and additionally during the Summer, collections were made of tinned food and other long-life goods to support families and individuals in crisis. Of these, the largest collection was the Harvest one which, with generous support from _St Paul's with St Michael’s Primary School_ and _8[th] Haggerston (St. Michael’s) Rainbows, Brownies and Guides_ at their respective Harvest services or celebrations, raised 396.85kg of provisions.
- (g) During Fairtrade Fortnight St Michael’s hosted a _Fairtrade Stall_ run by Hackney Fairtrade Group and Sustainable Hackney.
- (h) The letting of the _Church Flat_ to a refugee family from Syria, completed in 2017, continued during the year.
## **Care, maintenance and improvement of the Church Buildings**
Repairs and decorations were carried out as needed, as was routine maintenance in accordance with the PCC’s Annual Maintenance Plan. The most important were: (1) various redecorations carried out in January and July-August, including meeting room, link corridor, hall entrance lobby and WCs (total cost £3425); (2) repair of 4 metal sacristy items (£3822, fully funded by an anonymous donation); and (3) plumbing and associated repairs in the bathroom of the Church Flat (£1079.61). Further details are contained in the Churchwardens’ separate Fabric Report prepared under Rule M5(1)(d) of the CRR. The PCC records its gratitude to the Churchwardens for their ongoing work in maintaining the fabric.
_The Revd Daniel Gerrans, Chair, for and on behalf of the Parochial Church Council 23 March 2025_
7 Registered on https://www.warmwelcome.uk/#find-a-space
6
## **FINANCES**
## **The Financial Statements of the Council for the year ending on 31 December 2024**
## **Statement of the PCC's financial responsibilities**
Charity law requires the PCC to prepare accounts for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the charity's state of affairs at the end the year and of its income and expenditure for the year.
In preparing those accounts, the PCC is required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that it will continue in its activities.
The PCC is responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the entity and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011 and other relevant legislation. It is also responsible for safeguarding the assets and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## **Review of financial position**
The results for the year and financial position are set out below. The PCC thanks all who have contributed in any way to church funds, especially those giving regularly through stewardship programmes, which have enabled the Parish to remain financially resilient and in particular to sustain and increase its contribution to the Diocesan Common Fund.
## **Reserves policy**
Reserves are held for the furtherance of the PCC’s charitable objects, including as provision for significant unexpected but necessary expenditure.
Approved by the PCC and signed on its behalf by:
_The Revd Daniel Gerrans, Chair, for and on behalf of the Parochial Church Council 23 March 2025_
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**ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS LONDON FIELDS with ST PAULS HAGGERSTON**
## **Independent Examiner's report to the members of Parochial Church Council (PCC)**
I report on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent Examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records.
Note 8 provides details of the church flat which is managed by the PCC; it has a current valuation of £300,000 and has not been included on the balance sheet.
I have no other concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Rev John Irwin FCA AMCT Chartered Accountant
Date: 16 March 2025
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## **ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS LONDON FIELDS with ST PAULS HAGGERSTON**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year ended 31 December 2024**
|**INCOME**
**Donations, legacies and grants**
Church collection
Freewill offerings
Donations and gifts
Charitable collections
Grants received
Donations to restricted funds
Income tax refund
**Other activities**
Rent:
Church and hall
Flat
Fees
Fetes and events
Other income
**Investment income**
Interest and increase in value of fund assets
**Total incoming resources**
**EXPENDITURE**
London Diocese (Common fund)
London Diocese (Fees)
Staff expenses
Youth work expenses
Music and organist
Repairs and refurbishment:
Church
Flat
Garden
Insurance and security
Gas and electricity
Water rates
Cleaning
Consumables
Stationery, books and advertising
Telephone and internet
Social events
Other
Administrator
Charity and gifts (from general funds)
Charity and gifts
**Total expenditure**
Transfer between funds
**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
**FUNDS brought forward**
**FUNDS carried forward**|2024
2023
Unrestricted
Restricted
Designated
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
£
£
7,420
7,420
5,757
26,500
26,500
26,447
5,844
5,844
3,726
-
-
1,094
1,381
2,400
3,781
3,499
-
-
-
6,553
6,553
8,043
35,377
35,377
30,935
16,279
16,279
18,522
2,125
2,125
985
2,345
2,345
2,173
525
525
-
2,324
4,300
6,624
12,229
**106,673**
**2,400**
**4,300**
**113,373**
**113,410**
53,000
53,000
50,000
1,121
1,121
450
34
34
564
70
337
407
443
676
676
1,383
-
-
16,211
16,211
9,634
2,052
2,052
1,065
1,858
1,858
530
5,239
5,239
5,137
3,780
3,780
3,746
585
585
264
3,170
3,170
1,071
1,467
1,467
992
2,048
2,048
1,265
651
651
492
373
738
1,111
20
909
155
1,064
120
9,428
9,428
-
1,482
55
1,537
1,850
0
-
894
**104,154**
**1,285**
**0**
**105,439**
**79,922**
(1,000)
1,000
-
-
**1,519**
**1,115**
**5,300**
**7,934**
**33,488**
**136,667**
**5,645**
**93,026**
**235,338**
**201,850**
**138,186**
**6,760**
**98,326**
**243,272**
**235,338**|
|---|---|
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**ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS LONDON FIELDS with ST PAULS HAGGERSTON**
## **BALANCE SHEET as at 31 December 2024**
||Note|2024|2023|
|---|---|---|---|
|||£|£|
|**Current assets**||||
|Investments - Trust Fund|2|88,525|84,226|
|**Current assets**||||
|Cash at bank||156,427|150,412|
|Debtors|3|1,700|1,700|
|**Total current assets**||158,127|152,112|
|**Creditors: amounts falling due**||||
|**within one year**|4|(3,380)|(1,000)|
|**Net current assets**||154,747|151,112|
|**Total net assets**|6|243,272|235,338|
|**Funds**||||
|**Unrestricted Funds**||138,186|136,667|
|**Restricted Funds**|5|6,760|5,645|
|**Designated Funds**||98,326|93,026|
|**Total funds**||243,272|235,338|
These accounts were approved by the PCC and signed on its behalf by
Date: 23 March 2025
The Revd Daniel Gerrans For the Parochial Church Council
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**ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS LONDON FIELDS with ST PAULS HAGGERSTON**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **1.1 Basis of preparation**
The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, and with the Regulations' 'true and fair view' provisions, together with FRS 102 (2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2016 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP (FRS 102)).
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention, except for investments which are shown at market value.
The financial statements are prepared in £ sterling rounded to the nearest £.
## **1.2 Income recognition**
Income represents amounts received from freewill offerings, church collections and donations, and other sources of income from specific church activities, which are recognised as follows:
- Collections and other giving are recognised when received;
- Donations and grants are recognised when received unless a specific pledge or contract has been received;
- Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid is recognised with the relevant income;
- Funds raised by the fete and similar events are recognised when received;
- Rental income from the rent of the church premises is recognised when due;
- Investment gains or losses are recognised at the year end.
## **1.3 Expenditure**
All expenses are considered as charitable expenditure, being the costs incurred directly and indirectly in the delivery of its charitable purposes.
Expenses are recognised when the liability is incurred.
## **1.4 Unrestricted, restricted & designated funds**
Unrestricted funds represent the funds of the PCC which are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for the general purposes of the PCC.
Restricted funds are to be used for specified purposes as laid down by the donor. Direct expenditure which meets these criteria are assigned to the funds.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds that the PCC has chosen to allocate for a specified purpose. These funds may be un-designated and returned to the unrestricted fund.
## **1.5 Cash**
Cash includes cash held at banks in current and deposit accounts, and cash in hand; it is a basic financial asset under FRS102.
## **2 Investments**
The investments are held in shares in the CBF Church of England Investment Fund which is managed by CCLA and are included at market value.
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**ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS LONDON FIELDS with ST PAULS HAGGERSTON**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **3 Debtors**
|Income tax recoverable
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Accruals|2024
2023
£
£
1,700
1,700
1,700
1,700
2024
2023
£
£
3,380
1,000
3,380
1,000|
|---|---|
## **4 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
## **5 Restricted and Designated Funds**
Restricted funds comprise:
## **Grants received**
Grant income received for specified purposes has been allocated to restricted funds. The PCC gratefully acknowledges grants received during the year from the **Hackney Parochial Charities** (£2,400 received) for relief of individuals in need (2023: £2,500) and a grant of £1,129 under the Listed Places of Worship scheme for repairs to the building.
Designated funds comprise:
## **Trust Fund**
The Trust Fund comprises the balance of the proceeds of the sale of church premises sold in 1986 and the use of both capital and income may be used for any ecclesiastical purpose within the parish, in accordance with the Parochial Church Council (Powers) Measure 1956. The PCC has adopted a policy to designate the use of the Trust Fund as follows: until further resolution and where possible: (i) capital should be preserved; (ii) future income should be reinvested as an accretion to capital; and (iii) the Trust Fund should be used for capital (not revenue) expenditure which will make or contribute to a lasting improvement to the church or hall.
## **Vicarage Repair Fund**
Unrestricted funds are transferred into a designated fund to provide for the future redecoration of the Vicarage when needed.
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**ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS LONDON FIELDS with ST PAULS HAGGERSTON**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **6 Net assets attributable to the funds**
|Fixed assets
Investments
Current Assets
Cash
Debtors
Current liabilities
Net assets represented by funds
**Summary of funds**
Unrestricted
Restricted Ministers - Discretionary Grant
Designated - Trust Fund
Designated - Vicarage Repair Fund|Unrestricted
Restricted
Designated
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
£
-
-
88,526
88,526
139,866
6,760
9,800 156,426
1,700
-
-
1,700|Unrestricted
Restricted
Designated
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
£
-
-
88,526
88,526
139,866
6,760
9,800 156,426
1,700
-
-
1,700|
|---|---|---|
||141,566
6,760
98,326 246,652
(3,380)
(3,380)||
||138,186
6,760
98,326 243,272||
|||£
138,186
6,760
88,526
9,800|
|||243,272|
## **7 Summary of funds**
## **8 Benefits in kind to community groups**
During the year St Michaels has allowed certain community groups to use church and hall space free of charge. These groups included The 8th Haggerston Rainbows, Brownies and Guides. Had rent been charged at the normal rates this would have amounted to £4,000 (2024 - £3,000).
## **9 Related party transactions**
There were no related party transactions during the year.
## **10 Other Assets**
## **Church flat**
The PCC undertakes the management of the flat and has the benefit of the rental income. The flat is part of the premises and like the rest of the building it is owned by the London Diocesan Fund.
The rental from the flat is recognised as income when it becomes due.
The balance sheet does not include a value for the flat. It is valued at £300,000 (2023 - £300,000).
13