## **ANNUAL REPORT** ## **and** ## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** ## **of the** ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL** ## **of the parish of** ## **ST MATTHIAS, ST MARK & HOLY TRINITY, TORQUAY** **for the year ended 31[st] December 2024** **C O N T E N T S** |**Administrative information**|**Page 2**| |---|---| |**Structure, Governance and Management**|**Page 3**| |**Objectives and Activities**|**Page 4**| |**Achievements and Performance**|**Page 5**| |**Review of the Year**|**Page 5**| |**Safeguarding**|**Page 7**| |**Secretary’s Report**|**Page 8**| |**Churchwardens’ and Curate’s Report**|**Page 8 -9**| |**Deanery Synod Report**|**Page 10**| |**Financial Review**|**Page 11**| |**Independent Examiner’s Report**|**Page 12**| |**Notes to the Accounts**|**Page 13-15**| |**Balance Sheet**|**Page 16**| |**Statement of Financial Activities**|**Page 17**| |**Fund Movement Summary**|**Page 18**| |**Income & Expenditure**|**Page 19-22**| |**Notes to Financial Statements**
|**Page 23**| _ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY 2025_ _Page 1_ _**Parish of St Matthias, St Mark and Holy Trinity, Torquay Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for year ended 31st December 2024**_ ## **Administrative Information** St Matthias Church is situated in Babbacombe Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 1HW, which is the correspondence address. The website address is **www.st-matthias-church.org** The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission (Registered number 1130983) PCC members who have served from 1[st] Jan 2024 until the date of this report are: _Incumbent:_ Revd John Beckett _Lay Vice Chair:_ Cheryl Bevins _Associate minister:_ Revd Paul Barton _Curate :_ Revd Claire Reynolds _Wardens:_ Cheryl Bevins Clare Whittaker _Secretary:_ Ester Luscombe (from September 2024; Suzy Wright until September 2024) _Treasurer:_ Margaret Mundy (from September 2024; Kevin Francis until September 2024) _Reader: Representatives on the Deanery Synod: (ex-officio)_ David Wilkinson _(Diocesan Synod Rep)_ David Hodson Jeremy Aspinall _Elected members:_ Ali Buckley Sylvia Barratt Tessa Barton Keith Broome Margaret Mundy Natasha Dickson (stepping down in May 2025) Mike Higgins Sue Newman Paul Sherriff Phil New _Co-opted members_ Sue Davies (Safeguarding Rep) Ester Luscombe (from September 2024) _ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY 2025_ _Page 2_ ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and having been on the roll for six months are eligible to stand for election to the PCC. In addition to its regular meetings the PCC operates through a Standing and Finance Committee and a number of committees (known as ‘Action Groups’), which meet as required, and report back to the PCC. These are: ## _**Standing and Finance Committee**_ This is the only committee required by law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any direction given by the Council. It also oversees the financial aspects of the work of St Matthias and the Church Centre. The committee comprised: Rev’d John Beckett (Incumbent), Cheryl Bevins (Churchwarden and Vice Chair), Clare Whittaker (Churchwarden), Margaret Mundy (Treasurer), Ester Luscombe (Secretary) ## _**Action Groups:**_ In late 2021, we began to form ‘Action Groups’ as a new way of shaping, leading and sharing what is going on at St. Matthias. These groups work in conjunction with the PCC and the Staff Team. The Action Group Leaders now meet with the PCC twice a year with the purpose of sharing what is happening within their group, highlighting areas where they would value the cooperation of another group and sharing new ideas of ministry which they would like to be involved in but might need to go to the PCC for a decision. Listed alphabetically these are: _**COMMS Action Group:**_ To identify and manage the implementation of all communication and publicity requirements for the Church and the Church Centre, liaising with other groups as necessary and utilising the most appropriate and up-to-date tools, ranging from hard copy publications to online and social media platforms. _Chair:_ Suzy Wright _**Eco Action Group:**_ To challenge the whole church and us as individuals by promoting the Anglican’s 5[th] point of ‘The Five Marks of Mission’ – ‘to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth’; this includes awareness of the climate change and other ecological anxieties facing us in Torbay and the world. _Chairs:_ David Hodson, Clare Whittaker, Judi Stannard _**Facilities Management Action Group:**_ To ensure that the buildings and grounds are kept in a good and safe state of repair for all users of the premises, enabling the church to be a place for worship, making disciples and transforming communities. _Chair:_ Paul Sherriff _**Mission & Outreach Action Group:**_ To enable the church to ensure that we are outward-looking in our work, witness and resources, taking every opportunity to spread the gospel message within the Parish, the Bay and further afield, in order to encourage people to start on their faith journey and to grow in Christ. _Chair:_ Joanna Wilkinson _ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY 2025_ _Page 3_ _**Pastoral Action Group:**_ To organise and manage the provision of support and friendship to those who are unable to come to St. Matthias due to age or infirmity, helping to alleviate loneliness and encouraging them in their journey of faith through the difficult times. _Chair:_ Elaine Biden _**Prayer:**_ To organise and implement prayer for the needs of the world and to cultivate the message that prayer lies at the very heart of a Christian’s relationship with God and in every activity undertaken within St. Matthias, by providing a variety of opportunities to explore and deepen that relationship, both by personal prayer and corporately. _Chair:_ Andrew Green _**Social Action and Pre-School:**_ working with the ‘Mission and Outreach Group’ to oversee the outreach that has a greater emphasis on ‘Social Action’ - and to include oversight of provision of Early Years Services to Pre-School children from the local community and to provide After School and Holiday Club services to a wider range of Pre-School and Primary School age children, with a view to valuing and nurturing every child, and to seek to show God’s love to all children. _Chair:_ Sylvia Barratt _**SCYP Action Group:**_ To provide relevant and engaging activities for all age groups of children and young people both within and outside St. Matthias, enabling them to grow into and in their Christian faith and, with their leaders, reach their full potential in Christ. _Chair:_ Tessa Barton _**Service Ministry:**_ To provide high quality worship services as agreed by the Incumbent and the PCC, in conjunction with the staff team, that enable people to offer their worship and grow in their discipleship and encourage them to play their part in the kingdom work of transforming communities. _Chair:_ John Beckett ## **Objectives and Activities** The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the clergy, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has operational and maintenance responsibilities for the Church, Church Centre and Pre-school. ## **Achievements and Performance** ## _**Church Attendance**_ At the time of the last Annual Meeting, in May 2024, there were 174 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll. This year (May 25) we have reported 174 parishioners. Every six years a completely new Electoral Roll must be created, and 2025 is one of these years. Everyone who is currently on the Electoral Roll and wishes to remain so must apply again. Each year we report our participation numbers (the number of people who worship with us at least monthly) which allows Diocesan fund contributions to be calculated. Our 2024 participation number was 156 compared with 160 in 2023. ## _ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY 2025_ _Page 4_ ## _**Review of the Year**_ Church services have almost returned to normal since the pandemic. People are still continuing to take advantage of the live-streamed 11 o’clock service. The 8am Book of Common Prayer service has a slight decline in attendance and the 11am service attendance has been reasonably strong. The 9.30am service Explore is attended by families with children and the numbers are steadily growing. At the 9.30am service, breakfast is provided on the 1[st] Sunday of the month. The monthly ‘Praise @ 5.30pm’ service has a growing following with young people taking the lead of this service and this is very encouraging. Here are some highlights: - In addition to Paul, Claire and John, we are grateful for Dallas, Norma, Brian, Andrew, Nicholas and Sharon for taking the services and preaching. - • Our **Pre-School** numbers have continued to grow. We have 26 3/4 year olds attending currently and the number of 2 year olds has significantly increased to 20 due to the Government offering funding for working parents. There are currently 6 members of staff. - David and Joanna Wilkinson have continued to lead the **audio visual team** and we thank them for their dedication. The Sunday 11am service is live-streamed and there’s a steady online following. - The **Church Centre** continues to welcome a large number of community groups, social groups, exercise classes, two choirs, two counsellors and more...to use the great facilities here. In 2024 we had 78 groups in total, some using the facilities weekly, some monthly and others coming for a one off event. We also hosted three external concerts. - Our various **action groups** have continued to provide a useful support to the church’s operations. They have continued to grow from strength to strength. - We continue to support our two local Church of England Primary Academies, Ilsham and Warberry, visiting them to lead weekly Acts of Worship, hosting special seasonal services in the Church building and serving on their governance committees. - **Our social media** reached more people than ever before with well over 623 followers on Facebook and this is growing steadily. 76% of the followers are women whilst 24% are men. In addition there are 125 followers on the Instagram account, most of whom are not regular church attendees. - Our **youth group** has gone from strength to strength under the leadership of Ali Buckley and Linda Townsend and with the support of Hannah Aske. However, Hannah has now stepped away but will be available for consultancy. There are often 10 to 15 youths and recently rising to 18 with an influx of year 6 pupils from Ilsham. The vast majority of the youth are not from church families. Many of them are volunteering at the 9:30 and 11am service with the breakfast/coffee preparations as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award. Highlights were: bake off, rounders on Ilsham Green, BBQ at Claire’s house, make your own pizza night, water games, scavenger hunt, messy games, nerf wars, slip and slide with Home church, evening walk, sponsored car wash, pancake madness, Mexican night, blackout in church, Bonfire night etc. Our monthly **‘Praise @ 5.30’** is youth led service and is thriving with many young people getting involved and often writing the dramas, prayers and taking part in singing, games and generally running the service. Many of them were happy to dress up and take part in the Christingle service, in fact it was difficult to find enough parts for everyone! _ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY 2025_ _Page 5_ - In 2024, St Matthias managed to maintain its long-standing commitment to paying a full **Mission Tithe,** representing 10% of voluntary income. All the charities supported by St Matthias' tithe are Christian charities, recommended for the PCC's approval by the **Missions Action Group (MAG).** Six main ones receive support each year: Church Army, Church Mission Society (for Nicci Maxwell), Church Pastoral Aid Society, Linx Christian Youth Trust, Mission to Seafarers and Tearfund. MAG wished to make a change to the list of main charities by replacing the Church Army with Torbay United. Church Army no longer has a centre of mission in our area, whereas Torbay United is a new and active Christian charity which runs a social supermarket (the YUM bus). In addition, several other charities are chosen annually to receive a tithe donation. - A donation of £1500 was made to **St Mary Magdalene’s** Laundry and Washroom Project. - The **‘Welcome Space’** has continued to attract a regular group and other church users to have refreshments and conversation every Wednesday from 12noon – 2pm. - Our Lent course **‘Marking Lent’** was an exploration on Mark’s Gospel. Attendance was around 35 to 40 people. I would encourage people to attend the Lent courses as it helps you grow on your Christian journey. - **Coffee Box mission outreach** ran monthly on the piazza from April to September 2024. Coffee and pastries were offered to passers-by with a friendly chat and a prayer if desired. - An **Organ Recital** by David Davies was held in church in May, organized by the Friends of - St.Matthias. - **The volunteers’ week** was in June as a sign of appreciation to all our wonderful volunteers who make our church run smoothly on a daily basis. From the cleaners to toddler group helpers; from Messy Church helpers to the welcomers; from Valerie our organist to our singers and musicians; from our refreshment servers and to everyone in between a big Thank You to you all. - At the end of June we had a family **Summer Fun** day out at Dawlish Warren. This was well attended and it was a fabulous family day out. - An amazing **Pet Service** was held in September in appreciation of the importance of pets in our lives. Pets were all very well behaved! - Door-to-door **parish visiting** took place in September 2024. Teams went out on 2 evenings. The streets visited were all in the area of Wellswood and the Lincombes. On the whole the project was very positive and encouraging. - We welcomed Revd Steve Morgan from **Mission to Seafarers** to speak to us about the work of their chaplains giving counselling and practical support to seafarers on container vessels around the world. - **PCC away day** was at Dawlish Warren in November and Bishop Mark Rylands was the guest speaker. The Away Day was very useful, and it helped us focus on our strengths and weaknesses and to move forward in making disciples and transforming our communities. - T **earfund Quiz Night** was held on the 16 November. This was held in the name of ending global poverty for good and helping environmental causes. This event was very well attended and we had a great time raising funds for Tearfund. About £500 was raised. - Friends of St Matthias **Christmas Market** was held in November to raise funds for the ECO projects. This event was very well attended. _ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY 2025_ _Page 6_ - We ran successful and well attended **Christmas Services** . There were around 400 people at the Christingle service and just over 70 people at the Crib service. The numbers were higher from previous year for all the services. The school services and the Wellswood Street party had very positive engagement. - **Sharon Hiley** started Ordination training, in September 24. - We continue to live our lives in accordance with the values prescribed by our Lord **Jesus Christ.** The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is responsible for overseeing the work of the church. Throughout 2024 and to date the PCC have met bi-monthly – meetings primarily in person. From January to December 2024 the PCC held 6 meetings during the year, all in person. The average attendance at PCC meetings was 75%. PCC business generally falls into one of three categories: **Worshipping God, Making Disciples** and **Transforming Communities.** Items brought to the attention of and considered by the PCC have included: - Reviews the **Service pattern throughout the year.** - The financial challenges posed by increases in energy bills. - In light of the increase in energy bills, **Green energy** options have been explored and in due course solar panels and batteries would be installed. Old bulbs have been replaced with energy saving bulbs in the church premises. - **Mummy & Me** has continued to attract significant numbers, particularly of those who have no other contact with the church. - **Messy church** is being run bi-monthly due to the drop in numbers. Need to advertise broadly to reach a wider audience. ## **Safeguarding** : Safeguarding is at the forefront of our values as a church, seeking a culture where all are safe and able to flourish. The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of the whole Church. Everyone who participates in the life of the Church has a role to play in promoting a Safer Church for all. Our Safeguarding policy has been informed by, and is consistent with, the Church of England policy entitled ‘Promoting Safer Church 2017’. ## At St Matthias we are committed to **promoting a safer environment and culture.** Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the Church. Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation. Sue Davies continued in the role of Safeguarding Officer and is also a member of the Diocesan Safeguarding Board. One of the roles of the safeguarding officer is to be available to give advice to anyone in church if there are any safeguarding concerns. The Diocese provides a supportive role in this. Information regarding Safeguarding can be found on the first page of our website and contact numbers are available on church noticeboards. The Domestic Abuse posters with tear off phone numbers are displayed in the toilets and they appear to be used. _ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY 2025_ _Page 7_ We are also required to delegate to the diocese the responsibility of reporting serious safeguarding incidents to the Charity Commission, in accordance with the House of Bishops' Guidance. Safeguarding is a standard item on all PCC agendas. Sue Davies, Safeguarding Officer, May 2025 ## **Report from PCC Secretary:** So many good things are happening here at St Matthias. The Chairs and members of all of the Action Groups (see list on page 4 and 5 of this report) meet to help it carry out its many responsibilities in the numerous and varied aspects of the life of St Matthias. The action groups continue to provide a structure within which the church can continue to thrive. The help and support they provide is greatly appreciated. We continue to be indebted to them all for the commitment and dedication they show **and to all those who give unstintingly of their time and their talents** . Thank you. **Please pray for our groups and their leaders.** If you feel encouraged to support them or get involved in one of the groups, please speak to group chairs or staffing team. The **Friends of St Matthias** work closely with the PCC. The PCC would like to record their thanks for the financial support they receive from the Friends. The PCC would like to record its appreciation of the leadership of our Rector, John Beckett, ably supported by Paul Barton and Claire Reynolds; our retired clergy, and other lay ministers, our Churchwardens, Cheryl and Clare, ably assisted by Sylvia; Pere and all who work in St Matthias – paid staff and volunteers alike. We owe a great deal to our clergy, staff and their families. **Thank you** . Ester Luscombe _PCC Secretary_ May 2025 ## **Churchwardens’ report to the 2025 APCM** We would like to start by thanking all our Clergy team, who have worked tirelessly this year to provide services, worship, and pastoral support to us all. Of course, we are particularly conscious as we look back not just on this year but on more than 11 years of service, of all that John and Ruth have given to us and we thank God for them and will be praying for Him to use them powerfully as they start the next stage of their ministry in North Devon. It has been a particularly busy year for our clergy team because after a really helpful review facilitated by the Diocesan adviser for Children and Young People we took the step in June of moving to a weekly Explore service, so that we have 3 services every Sunday and 4 in the week when we have an evening, youth-led service. It has been very exciting to see the numbers growing and fellowship deepening in the 9.30am congregation and to see our young people growing in confidence and taking an active role in different aspects of the monthly service. We have also established a monthly Sunday evening church prayer meeting and hope that more people will feel encouraged to join us for this vital part of our church life. We want to express particular appreciation of all that Tessa Barton has done to recruit a new Emerging Generations leader. We are excited by Helen’s arrival and all that she will bring to the many aspects of our children’s, families’ and young people’s work, including youth group, toddlers, school assemblies and special events like Experience Easter. _ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY 2025_ _Page 8_ We were so glad that our Christmas services were again well attended – the young people put on a tremendous performance for a packed Christingle Service on Christmas Eve, families with younger children enjoyed taking part in a “Noisy Christmas” and other services brought in many people from outside the regular congregation. It was also great to take part in the Wellswood Christmas Fayre and to host Carol Singing on the Piazza for the community. Live streaming of some services has continued this year and is much appreciated by those who are unable to attend church. Thank you to all who have the technical skills to make this possible each week. We are so grateful to the too often unsung heroes from within our congregation who serve behind the scenes, the coffee makers, cleaners, flower arrangers, welcomers at services, pastoral visitors and so many more roles. We are always looking for more volunteers – do speak to us if you feel called to help in any way. We are particularly grateful to the faithful team who allow us to offer “Welcome Space”: every Wednesday lunchtime the church is opened to members of our local community, providing soup, chat, and friendship. We continue to host the Ukrainian Support Group each week too. Coffee box, a monthly outreach to the Community continued through the summer months on the piazza and the Mission Action Group also arranged parish visiting over two weeks in September, which has been repeated over the last few weeks. Our fellowship has been strengthened by some lovely social events including an away day at the stunning Dawlish Warren Mission Hall (to which PCC returned for a very stimulating away day in the autumn, picnics at Cockington and in the church and a ceilidh in the church organised by the Friends of St Matthias and a local folk choir. We are delighted that many people in the congregation are involved in home groups and hope to see even more people enjoying the fellowship and support that belonging to a group can bring. We are conscious that in the months ahead as we seek for the right person to replace John it will be particularly important to support and look out for one another, communicate well, appreciate all those who are working hard to keep things running smoothly and above all put on the love of Christ, which binds in perfect unity. Clare and Cheryl, Churchwardens, May 2025 ## **Curate’s report 2025** I arrived at St Matthias in September 2023 and have now been here for the past 18 months to complete my curacy. My family and I have been heartily welcomed by all the St Matthias family, who were aware I was moving context mid-training. It goes without saying that given the circumstances, I was and still am incredibly grateful to John, Paul and the wardens who had to consider taking me on as a curate at incredibly short notice. My time here has been very joyful. St Matthias is a very active church with groups happening most days of the week either run by the church family themselves or through hiring the church facilities. Personally, I have become particularly involved in the children’s and youth work and home groups and it is wonderful to see what God is doing there. A particular highlight for me has been to see how our young people have taken the challenge of leading the monthly Sunday evening worship and just run with it! St Matthias has at its core, a very heart felt desire to share the good news with the local community here, and it has been great to see initiatives like the parish visiting happening, and to take part in that. _ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY 2025_ _Page 9_ Perhaps my one slight sadness has been that my family haven’t been able to get involved in Sunday worship as much as I would have liked. I am grateful for people’s understanding that they were already settled at another church and have continued to worship there for the time being. There have been some opportunities for Alastair to help with special events and home group, and Andrew has very much enjoyed being part of the Friday night youth club. I would like to finish by thanking John and Paul for their investment in me over this time, the staff team and PCC for being so supportive and giving so much of their time, and of course the church family here for being the people you are, welcoming to whoever comes through the doors and being so willing to volunteer to help in the life of the church. Revd Claire Reynolds, Curate ## **Report of the Meetings of Deanery Synod** Your lay representatives are Jeremy Aspinall, David Hodson and David Wilkinson (Deanery Secretary). Members of our parish clergy also attend. Since the last Annual Report there have been three meetings of Synod, held in churches across Torbay. The main items of business, besides finance, progress with Common Fund payments by the parishes, and reports of the proceedings of Diocesan and General Synod were: In February we welcomed Bishop James and Archdeacon Douglas, for the commissioning of Fr Peter March as our new Rural Dean. At that meeting we shared the B **lessings** , **Challenges** and **Opportunities** faced in all our parishes. The archdeacon **charged us** to live the life of the deanery synod; one that is **living** and **vibrant** , **encouraging** , **inspiring** , **resourcing** and **supporting** . This theme was picked up again at our most recent meeting, when Rev Sam Leach shared what it meant for St Mags to serve in a town centre community. Archdeacon Douglas fully supported the Parish Giving Scheme, with contactless giving encouraged for casual giving. In July, Rev Jeremy Putnam, **Diocesan Mission Enabler** , in considering mission, asked whether children and young people were in the forefront of our thinking. The ground-breaking **Talking Jesus** Report shows the state of faith in the UK, how people come to faith in Jesus and how we, as the church, can talk about Jesus more effectively with our friends and in our community. 48% identify as Christians but only 6% are practising. 60% of the 48% know someone who is a practising Christian. Our November meeting found us in Bay Church, where Rev Claire Reynolds, Disability and Additional Needs Advisor for the Diocese of Exeter, spoke on **disabilities, additional needs and neurodivergence** . Claire asked how we could make our churches more welcoming to people with additional needs including autism and dementia. Society still marginalises people with disabilities and additional needs. See https://exeter.anglican.org/disability/ Further details of all deanery business may be obtained from: **David Wilkinson,** Torbay Deanery Secretary _ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY 2025_ _Page 10_ ## **Financial Review** The _**Balance Sheet**_ (Page 17) total net assets less liabilities rose compared with last year mainly due to increased cash assets of £209,056 ( _cf_ .£ 171,779 in 2023). This has contributed to our Unrestricted Funds balance increase from £90,081 to £112,015. The other significant figure on the **Balance Sheet is** the amount of money in the Restricted Fund for Emerging Generations Leader, up from **£43,260** in 2023 to **£51,472** at the end of 2024. The _**Statement of Financial Activities**_ (SOFA) on Page 18 shows the overall income and expenditure for the year, broken down into the few major categories commonly reported across the Church of England, as well as transfers between funds. Subsequent sheets in the pack break this down into considerably more detail, Pages 19 to 23 showing a breakdown against all the booking categories that we use. 2024 saw a welcome overall improvement in the church finances and resulted in an operational surplus for the year of £ **31,126** . Some of the main factors that contributed to this **,** referencing the three areas of operation, were: - **Church** The overall voluntary income was **£164.7k** , up from last year’s figure of **£138.6k** . In terms of expenditure, gas costs reduced by **£7k** as heating controls were functioning better but electricity costs were up by **£3k** . Church Maintenance was up by **£5.3k** . Also, as in previous years, we paid our Common Fund contribution to the Diocese in full, which was **£89.9k** . Charity & Mission Giving, also included in Church expenditure, was increased to **£20.8k** to compensate for the lower amount of **£8.5k** for 2023 **.** The net result was a deficit of **£1.5k** over the year between church income and expenditure. - **Church Centre** Income from hirers was up to **£59.7k** from **£52.1k** in 2023 and to the total Church Centre income can be added £7K from Friends of St Matthias towards refurbishment of the entrance hall toilet. Gas costs reduced by **1.4k** but the electricity costs were up by **£3k** as for the Church. Overall, there was an increase in expenditure of **£10.1k** resulting in a net surplus of **£4.6k** for the year. - **Pre–School** Pre-School income, comprising Early Years funding from our local Council and payments from parents for additional sessions was substantially up this year by **£38k.** This was mainly due to the admission of more two year olds as a result of the new Government funding policy. Staffing costs remained similar to 2023 and other expenditure resulted in an increase in the overall expenditure figure of **£1.2k** . This has meant that the Pre-School net position for the year was a surplus of **£28k.** I would like to thank Trudy Guy, our book keeper for all of the accounts administration tasks and invoice payments. Also Sylvia Barratt, who continued to manage the ‘Statutory Account’ covering weddings and funerals held in the church, the funds for which are handled via a separate bank account. The transactions in this account are not visible in the published accounts as all associated income and expenditure does not impact on church funds (as, basically, what comes in goes out). The accounting rules we operate to are such that we are not required to include these details in the published accounts but they do have to be submitted to our Independent Examiner and so are covered in the approval statement. _ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY 2025_ _Page 11_ I would also like to thank all our church members for their generous financial support during this year. In particular, it was good to see more regular (planned) giving especially to the PGS scheme (details available on our website and via leaflets at the back of the church). It is an enormous help to the finance team for the purposes of administration and planning. Looking ahead, now that we have appointed our Emerging Generations Team Leader, Helen Baker, we hope that all who are able to will increase their giving to help us grow the fund which supports this part of our church’s vision. **Margaret Mundy,** Hon Treasurer ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MATTHIAS, ST MARK AND HOLY TRINITY, TORQUAY** I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Church for the year ended 31 December 2024. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity's trustees of the Church you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act . Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Charity are not required to be audited and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. ## **Independent examiner's statement** Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)). I have no 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. Ian Barrett FCA FCIE Barretts Chartered Accountants & Chartered Tax Advisers 22 Union Street, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2JS Date: 8[th] May 2025 _ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY 2025_ _Page 12_ _**ST MATTHIAS, ST MARK and HOLY TRINITY**_ ## _**TORQUAY**_ ## **Notes to the Accounts 2024** ## 1. Basis of Financial Statements The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. These financial statements have been prepared under the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. They have been prepared on an accruals basis under the historical cost convention and include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members. The charity is registered in England and Wales and details of the registered office can be found in the admin information section. The functional and presentational currency is considered to be pounds sterling, the accounts are rounded to the full pound. ## 2. Accounting policies ## (a) Fund Accounting (i) Restricted Funds comprise (a) income from endowments which is to be expended only on the restricted purposes intended by the donor and (b) revenue donations or grants for a specific PCC activity intended by the donor. (ii) Unrestricted Funds are income funds which are to be spent on the PCC’s general purposes. (iii) Designated Funds are general funds set aside by the PCC for use in the future. Project funds are designated for particular projects for administration purposes only. Designated funds remain unrestricted and the PCC will move any surplus to other general funds. ## (b) Incoming Resources Planned giving, collections and similar donations are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming resource to which they relate is received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is entitled to the use of the resources, their ultimate receipt is considered reasonably certain and the amounts due are readily quantifiable. Interest is accounted for as and when accrued by the payer. All incoming resources are accounted for gross. ## (c) Resources Expended The Diocesan Parish Share (Common Fund) expected to be paid over is accounted for when due. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross. _ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY 2025_ _Page 13_ ## (d) Fixed Assets Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts in accordance with Section 10(2) (a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011. Movable church furnishings held by the Rector and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property, listed in the church’s inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). St. Matthias Church Centre was built in 1985/86 at a cost of £198,629 and the extension to it was subsequently built at a cost of £146,355. During 2010 an extension to the Pine Room was constructed at a cost of £98,266. All these amounts have been written off as expended and consequently no depreciation is required. Expenditure on Church Centre furniture and equipment is written off as incurred. ## 3. Debtors Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure. ## 4. Contingent Liabilities There are no contingent liabilities of which the PCC is aware. 5. Payments to PCC members No member of the PCC received any salary or expenses in connection with their role on the PCC. ## 6. Staff Salaries / Payments 3 staff were employed by the Church/Church Centre, gross salaries paid out during the year being £39,314. 6 staff were employed by the Pre-School, gross salaries paid out during the year being £111,146. Pension contributions on behalf of 4 eligible employees were paid to the Church Workers Pension Fund (CWPF) in line with current UK Pension legislation (included in salary figures above). St. Matthias participates in the Pension Builder Classic Scheme section of CWPF for lay staff. CWPF is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the CWPF assets separately from those of the Employer and other participating employers. CWPF has two sections: - the Defined Benefits Scheme - the Pension Builder Scheme, which has two subsections; - a deferred annuity section known as Pension Builder Classic, and, - `o` a cash balance section known as Pension Builder 2014. Pension Builder Scheme Both sections of the Pension Builder Scheme are classed as defined benefit schemes. Pension Builder Classic provides a pension, accumulated from contributions paid and converted into a deferred annuity during employment based on terms set and reviewed by the Church of England Pensions Board from time to time. Discretionary increases may also be added, depending on investment returns and other factors. _ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY 2025_ _Page 14_ Pension Builder 2014 is a cash balance scheme that provides a lump sum which members use to provide benefits at retirement. Pension contributions are recorded in an account for each member. Discretionary bonuses may be added before retirement, depending on investment returns and other factors. The account, plus any bonuses declared is payable, unreduced, from age 65. There is no sub-division of assets between employers in each section of the Pension Builder Scheme. The scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. This is because it is not possible to attribute the Pension Builder Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific employers and means that contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The pensions costs charged to the SoFA in the year are the contributions payable (2024: £ 11,372, 2023: £ 14,042). A valuation of the Pension Builder Scheme is carried out once every three years. The most recent valuation was carried out as at 31 December 2022. For the Pension Builder Classic section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £34.8m on the ongoing assumptions used. At the most recent annual review effective 1 January 2025, the Board chose to grant a discretionary bonus of 6.7% to both pensions not yet in payment and pensions in payment in respect of service prior to April 1997; and a bonus on pensions in payment in respect of post April 2006 service so that the pension increase was 2.7% (where usually it would be calculated based on inflation up to 2.5%). This followed improvements in the funding position over 2024. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time. The next valuation is due as at 31 December 2025. For the Pension Builder 2014 section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £8.5m on the ongoing assumptions used. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time. The legal structure of the scheme is such that if another employer fails, EMPLOYER could become responsible for paying a share of the failed employer’s pension liabilities. The number of employees whose total employee benefits fell within the £10,000 - £60,000 band was 0. ## 7. Funding from Friends of St Matthias During the year the Friends of St Matthias, a charity set up for the sole purpose of supporting the church via the funding of various works, contributed £7060 for the cost of refurbishing the entrance hall toilet. ## 8. Income and Expenditure – Details Pages **20-22** show a categorised breakdown of all income and expenditure with comparative figures for 2023. ## 9. Reserves Policy It is a requirement of the Charity Commission that all registered charities should have a Reserves Policy, designed to cater for the ongoing viability of the organisation in the event of unplanned/unexpected circumstances arising. Our policy is now based on retaining 3 months’ normal expenditure made up from items considered to be essential in the event of unexpected circumstances preventing us from running one or more of the three individual entities that comprise the St Matthias Church registered charity. The amount that has been calculated for this purpose, including an _appropriate amount for contingency purposes, is £75k-80k._ _ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY 2025_ _Page 15_ St Matthl•s, St Mark & H¢)ty Trlnlty, Torquay Balance Shmt (Summary) As at: 31 D•c•mb•r 2024 3111112024 3111W2023 Fix•é 10.353 171.779 173.758 219409 18.845 18 &45 11.887 11.687 162.072 162.072 162.072 R•w••nl•d by 112.015 112.015 ).081 .C81 •.n7 10.314 1,119 24.¢XQ 37 052 28569 51.472 24 43.260 142 51497 43,403 Fw*J d th• 162.072 ty th• PCC ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY2025 Page 16 St Matthlas, St Mark & Holy Trinity, Torquay Sofa Separate Designated For the perlod from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 Prfor y•w fijnth l￿d$ 171.713 233.C 424 183.233 235.090 1386 157.541 189.541 1.678 Total irtom8 407.191 2.424 11. 420.711 348.760 Exr*dttL*• OA., 21.857 3.072 376.818 S.401 382.219 357.844 Otsr S.401 Toial expeTrJrture NÈt Incomè I ltrxpt￿rtL*ts) ttrscx*ctt trartsfor 357.kn) 21.857 3.072 363.831 49.￿1 119.4331 8.024 38.492 115,0711 Transfws= Grc¥ss Ir¥ofws t*t**an Grc65 Irwof8rs bet**en tur#ls- .367 130.3671 129.1671 I1￿)} h•r r•cognbMd galns I IoM•• Galnslloss•s on Th•strn*N assots Galns on r8valuatw. fixed ass•is. chantys Net mo¥ement In furmts Rec£wllaith ol l￿d$ 21.934 38.492 115,0711 Total furxls broLqhl IDNiard J.081 28.588 43 403 182.072 177.143 112.015 31.(ts2 51.497 162.072 Repr•sontOd by UN•sitit•d 11101S 11Z01S 90.CI81 Ctrorty & 8.727 8,727 10.314 308 Flaykna Exwth IPS) 24.(A¥J 24.000 24.(MX 51.472 24 51.472 24 43260 142 ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY2025 Page 17 St Matthias. St Mark & Holy Trinity. Torquay Fund movement summary Selected period: 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 Fund balancès Fund Ineornlng ht forward Resources Outgolr4 Resources Transfers Galns and Fund balanc•s brou Losses Carrled forward Unrèstrictèd Gene￿ . Gener81 fijr ),081 407.191 357.29) 127.9671 112,015 SutFtotals 9).081 407.191 357.2 27,967 112,D15 Designate Cartrt)n fwtprinl- ReducirwJ Carb)n Foolw"nt CF-CASHFLOW 24.IXX) 24,000 CMG - Charity & Missionary Givirvj FEMPL- Future EmFAoyees GL - Girts All+yNed 18,050) 19,847 27,897 HARDSHIP- Hardship FurKI PK - Malls Cats PlayArea-PS- Play Area Exiension IPS} PS. Pre.Sd)ool Prqeds SC- Social Core 10.314 1.119 424 2.011 8,727 1,119 2,￿0 800 HLESS- Homdess Prryect OLDIES -'Older Peop￿. MinL8ty 308 su￿totals 28.588 2.424 21.858 27,897 37,052 Resiri¢ted AV- Aud￿4vi￿al System BIBLES- Children's Bit4es 70 70 EGL- Emerying Grrrtjp Le*r ADVENT - Advent Calendars 43.2 11.083 2.871 51.472 EASTER- Easler Eggs FL- F1$y￿er5 MS- Music 142 13 131 24 YB - YrAJth Bank Sub-totals 43.403 11.096 3.072 70 51.497 Tolals 162.072 420.711 382.219 200,564 ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY2025 Page 18 St Matthias. St Mark & Holy Trinity. Torquay Income and Expenditure - Details by Categc For the period: 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 INCOIANG RESOiM4CES 2024 2023 A01 . Breakfas￿0￿￿ (CFfj A03 . Fees Re(tr￿*￿e ICH) AOI . F*al & LW {CH) A07 . Messy c￿rCh (CH) ACKI. sF￿(saI ICHI A10 . Mnitr#J5 TOTAL FOR CHURCH ACTIVITIES INC(WE 16 1456 74 1.986 14 706 2.819 B01 . ￿lY5 ICTR) B03 . P¥ivBie pPK￿￿(¥ry￿Yj (CTr) 804 . kntry (CTRI BOS . Tea & C(ffte ICTRI TOTAL FOR CHURCH CENTRE IIK(WE $9.671 52,102 125 53 52.686 Col . Fees (PS) C02 - H(*lay cl￿ IPS) C03 . Otha (PSI C04 . P¥erns Pa)Yrents (P5) C05 - Hay area exler5ion IPS) TOTAL FOR PRE SCHOOL IPK(XAE 123.fAg 11945 337 95.963 12.788 255 25.031 171014 134.037 tN)l - CAF lrtwe51 (CH) tX)3 . Otro ICH) tX)4 . ￿n￿ry ICH) J10. Cr￿rt Card chargQ5 (￿duCted trorn Card receipt5 1.598 81 (12) 2.377 13TJ E01 . Fr￿r￿J5 (Ageed FwK*wJl TOT AL FOR FRIEhX)S OF ST MATTHIAS 3.173 3.173 6S6 F02. CJA F03 . Colectsys GIA REC (9701 2.350 4,978 F04 . r￿ft Day FOS. Gth Day C4A FOI . Lyles 1.245 1423 S.024 2.731 F09. CknatIo￿ GIA 10,583 2.013 287 F10- t*nborts GIA REC F11 . H¥d5hip Iwrfl Wrw f￿1 F12. H￿1P F￿1 CJA F13. H￿'p F￿1 CJA REC TOTAL FOR VOLUNTARY INCOME (GENERAL) ANNUAL CH_..-.....--....-...-. ---- 116 619 744 21,927 26.895 Page 19 F21 Planned Giving F22 - Planned Giving GIA F23 - Planned Giving GIA REC F24 - PGS Planned Giving F25 - PGS Plann￿1 Giving GIA TOTAL FOR PLANNED INCOME (GENERAL) 913 1,070 4,656 120 14.865 5.ILK> 2.846 119.438 143.162 3,563 103.949 113.358 F31 -'Youth Work 969 422 F32 - 'Youth Work GIA 1.553 101 F33 - 'YoLrth Work GIA REC 547 F34 - 'PGS Youth Work GIA 8.527 11,850 13,926 TOTAL FOR VOLUNTAR Y INCOME (EGL) 11.083 F41 - 'AudiolVisual 135 F51 - 'Easter Eggs GIA F52 - 'Easter Eggs GIA REC F54 - 'Flowers GIA 26 53 F55 - 'Flowers GIA REC 13 TOTAL FOR VOLUNTARY INCOME (RESTRICTEDIDESIGNATED 13 225 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 420,711 348.760 ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY2025 Page 20 OUTGOING RE%XIRCES G01 . Chaw & Mb5sian GMKJ GI￿ . Wet(xwe and H¥d51¥p FuThJ expwKliue TOTAL FOR cHAR￿y & MISS1014 GIVING 20.847 1.010 1.766 10.266 21.857 G02 . Cornmon FurKI TOTAL FOR CO•AMON FUND 89,892 89.892 95.268 9S.268 J01- Chages (CHI J02 . F*irtiry P05l & Siaiiwy ICH) J03 - Sala￿5 & NI ICH) J04 - Eynses (CH} j(￿ . 8¢x)k Keepng 156 1185 13.422 4.235 14.703 3.511 3.958 26.266 26.611.39 K01 . 'AN Equiw K02 - In￿anCe ICH) K03 - Elecvicty ICH) KOI . Fwe & Irnruler Alm (CH) KOS . 'Fkh￿5 76 3.651 3.386 (1.7601 1.293 39 1.73S KIA . Gwden . Gewal MaiMerwKe {CH> K07 . Ga5 {CH) Kce . Mainlen¢vKe & Repaw5 (CH) K(￿ . Organ MaIntena￿e TOTAL FOR CHURCH MAINTENANCE 5.024 1.093 27.631 26.632 L02 . 'Cl*lrEn'5 8ifAes 297 482 LOS . ExFenses L(% . Fees 1571 1.196 245 18 L10 . Messy Church L11.'Kkn 235 1.347 L13 . SeThice Upkeep . IWi5t Fees L14 - Service Upkeep - Other L1 S - SeThice Upkeep - Walers & Wine Ll 7 - visiting Clergy Ll 8 . MmitwJs 361 307 271 (138) 872 (sc S.143 L20 . Specwl Evwts L22 - Matts Cas TOTAL FOR MIMSTR Y COSTS S.652 1 . 'YcAmg Children Exp 2 . 'Y(Arth Bank (9931 352 3 . 'YcArth W(xk Exp ANNL . 'YcArth Wuker Exp IS . 'YcArth W(Yker Fee51Salary 1.186 1.471 121 1.346 1,685 TOTAL FOR YOUTH WORK (EGL) 2.931 2.296 P01 . Consumables {CTR) P02 - Electricity {CTR) P03 . F￿e & Intrud￿ Alarms (CTR) P04 . Gas (CTR) P05 . InSUra￿e (CTR pc￿ . Maintenance & Repairs (CTR) P07 - saI￿les & NI ICTR) pl￿ . Sun¢*y Expenses (CTR) Pcffj . Tele￿ ICTR) PIO . Waste Sthryces (CTR) P11- Water (CTR> P12 - Window Cleaning {CTR} TOTAL FOR CHURCH CENTRE COSTS 4.610 4.846 (1.7601 63 751 3.262 4.697 2.863 10,294 25,893 4.205 1,470 8.237 24.415 1,936 1,628 3.690 1.453 620 1.411 725 63.243 52.750 R02 . CRB Charges (PS) R04 - EquipmenL Materials & BcK)ks IPS) R05 . Gifts Ichilcken & Siaffj IPS) R06 . InSLwance & LearnirMJ Alliance (PS) R08 . Prinliry. Postage & Slatw (PS) Rog . Rent (Flne R(xJm) (PS) Rl O . Salaries & Nl (PS) R12 . Slaff Training IPS) Rl 3 - Sundry Expenses (PS) Rl 4 . Telephone (PS Rl 5 . Play Area MaintenarKe (PS) R16 . Bank Charges IPS) TOTAL FOR PRE-SCHOOL COSTS 21 3.805 744 4.607 669 590 15.C 119,146 164 15.000 119,436 1.681 1.274 1.240 99 1,321 60 143,945 142,768 G04 . Governance (I￿le￿ndert Examiner) TOTAL FOR GOVERNANCE COSTS 1.098 1.098 TOTAL OUTGOING RESOURCES 381219 363,831.73 ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY2025 Page 22 St Matthias, St Mark & Holy Trinity, Torquay Notes to the financial statements as at 31 D￿efflb•r 2024 Asat 3111212023 3111212024 1. Debtors Trade debtors 10,353 1,980 10,353 1,980 2. Bank and Cash CAFCASH (CHURCH) CAFCASH (PRE-SCHOOL) CAFCASH (Statutory Account) CAF GOLD PEFtY CASH (CHURCH CEPffRE) PETTY CASH IPRE.SCHOOL) 44,820 59,295 1,141 103,774 26 49.319 44.667 1.C62 76.590 40 100 171.778 209,056 Total Current assets 219,409 173.758 3. Creditors Aoency cdleclM)ns Trade Credrtors and accrued income 179 18,666 553 11.133 18,845 11.686 Net Asset surplus {deficit) 2(Kl.564 162.072 4. Analysls of net assets between funds Unrestncted Funds 2024 Desonated Fu￿lS 2024 Restr￿ted FuTrls 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 Cash and current investments Other current assetslliab1lrt￿S Credrtors MO￿ than one year Totsl 120.507 (8,492) 37,052 51_497 209.056 18,492) 171.778 1.980 112,015 37,052 51,497 200.564 162_072 5. Trust••s R•mun•ralion l Exp•ns•s There was ￿ remunerats.on pawj or expenses r￿mburSed to Trustees during the year or the prewous year. ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING MAY2025 Page 23