# **CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN, NEVILLE’S CROSS, DURHAM**
# **ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS**
**Of the**
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**
**For the year ended 31[st] December 2025**
## **Incumbent:**
The Reverend Barnaby T. Huish
The Rectory,
10 Westhouse Avenue,
Durham, DH1 4FH
**Presented at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting Sunday 24[th] May 2026**
_**St. John’s Neville’s Cross is a Registered Charity**_
_**No. 1131053**_
## **St. John’s Church, Neville’s Cross, Durham Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council For the year ended 31[st] December 2025**
## **Administrative information**
St. John’s Church is situated in Neville’s Cross, Durham. It is part of the Diocese of Durham within the Church of England. The correspondence address is Antioch House, 66 Crossgate, Durham, DH1 4PR. Since 1[st] August 2021 the Parish has formed part of the United Benefice of Durham St. Margaret, Neville’s Cross St. John and Bearpark St. Edmund.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) was formerly exempt from registering as a charity, however in May 2009 it did register with the Charity Commission under the terms of the Charities Act 2005 (Charity No. 1131053). The members of the PCC are the Trustees of the Charity.
PCC members who have served from 1[st] January 2025 until the date this report was approved are:
|_Incumbent:_The Revd Barnaby Huish|Chairman|
|---|---|
|_Churchwardens:_||
|Mrs Josephine Cundy|(Vice Chair) (until 11thMay 2025)|
|Mrs Rachel Lillicrop|(Vice Chair) (from 11thMay 2025)|
|Mrs Janet Phillips|(from 11thMay 2025)|
|Mrs Kathryn Shanks|(until 11thMay 2025)|
|_Licenced Associate Minister:_||
|The Revd Canon Dr Nichola Chater||
|_Lay Representatives on the Deanery Synod:_||
|Mr Michael Chater|(also PCC Secretary)|
|Mrs Josephine Cundy|(from 11thMay 2025)|
|Mr Adriel Yap||
|_Elected members:_||
|Mr David Atkinson||
|Mrs Elizabeth Cooke|(from 11thMay 2025)|
|Dr Michael Bullock|(PCC Treasurer from 12thJune 2025)|
|Mrs Susan Massey|(PCC Treasurer to 12thJune 2025)|
|Mr Andrew Mattches||
|Mr Samuel Padfield||
|Prof. Robert Song|(from 11thMay 2025)|
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## _Co-opted members:_
Mr Alexander Walker (until 21st January 2026) Miss Amy Ward (until 30[th] September 2025)
## **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 stand for election to the PCC. The PCC Standing Committed is empowered to transact business on the PCC’s behalf outside regular meeting times if necessary; its current members are the Rector, Churchwardens, PCC Secretary and PCC Treasurer, plus the former PCC Treasurer.
## **Objectives and Activities**
St. John’s PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Revd Barnaby Huish, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the Church and Church Centre complex of St. John’s, Neville’s Cross. It also has responsibilities as an employer.
## **Achievements and Performance**
## **Review of the year (January – December 2025):**
A regular pattern of Sunday services was maintained at St John’s, including two Sunday morning Communion services (one of which was usually live-streamed online), an all-age Service of the Word once a month (usually following the ‘Café Church’ format); plus the informal ‘Taste’ service (taking place once a month on a Sunday evening) and Messy Church (usually on a Sunday afternoon, once a month).
The church continued to support and develop its ministry with children and young people, running groups and activities on Sunday mornings and on weekdays, including in partnership with local schools and with King’s Church, Durham (through the ‘LOL Youth Ministry’ partnership). St John’s PCC continued to employ Alex Walker as a Children, Youth and Families Worker, who worked with members of the congregation and other youth leaders across all these areas.
Canon Nicky Chater (Associate Minister) continued in her work as Diocesan Chaplain for the Gypsy Roma and Traveller (GRT) community (with St John’s signed up as a GRT Friendly Church). In January the church hosted a performance of ‘Crystal’s Vardo’ (presented by Friends, Families and Travellers) about the histories, cultures and present-day experiences of GRT people over centuries.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla came to Durham for the Royal Maundy Service this year: among the recipients of Maundy money from the King was Kenneth Garbett, a longstanding member of the Church congregation.
House groups continued to play an important role in the life of the church. There were regular meetings of the Mother’s Union in church and a monthly Men’s Breakfast, and the Open Door café continued to take place fortnightly, providing a
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much-valued meeting place of all-comers. The annual EcoFestival took place in June in the church grounds, with members of the local community in attendance in large numbers; the theme this year was ‘Breathe’.
The Parochial Church Council continued to meet, as required, and regularly focused on areas of church life including Mission & Outreach, Pastoral Care, Prayer & Worship, Buildings, Employment, Safeguarding and Finance. Work continued on maintaining and improving the church building and grounds, including replanting a prominent patch of ground in front of the church, and the commissioning of a new Paschal Candle stand to match the other furnishings in the chancel. A group met through the year to consider options for the church’s transition towards net zero carbon emissions.
In September, the Church held a Parish Away Weekend at Scargill House in North Yorkshire, led by the Rt Revd John Pritchard (retired Bishop of Oxford, previously Bishop of Jarrow). The theme was ‘Being Community … Being Church’. More than fifty members of the church community took part and the feedback was very positive.
Following on from the parish’s involvement in the Diocese’s ‘Partnership for Missional Church’ programme, a new ‘Give it a Go’ (‘GiG’) group was formed with the aim of engaging members of the local community. An inaugural public event was held in Merryoaks Community Hall in October: ‘Trump and Faith: What can we make of Christianity in US politics?’ with Prof. Matthew Guest (author of _Neoliberal Religion: Faith and Power in the 21st Century_ ), which attracted a full house of 70plus people of various ages from around the area.
In September the parish said farewell to Amy Ward, who had been part of St John’s Church for the past ten years (first as Music Co-ordinator and then as Music Missioner). Amy’s ministry across many areas of church life (much of it recorded in Annual Reports over the past decade) has been deeply appreciated and celebrated by very many people in and beyond the parish; at her farewell service, the church prayed for her looking forward to her training for ordination in the Church of Scotland.
The church remains inspired and encouraged by new arrivals as well as those of longer standing in its community, seeking to serve God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and to enable people to come to Christ and grow in faith.
## **Church Electoral Roll**
In 2025 a full renewal of the Church Electoral Roll was undertaken. At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting it was reported that there were 105 parishioners listed on the new Church Electoral Roll.
## **Safeguarding**
The PCC has complied with the requirements imposed by the code under section 5A of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016.
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## **Financial Review, 2025**
The PCC is very grateful to everyone who has contributed financially to the life and ministry of the church during the past year. Through regular giving, donations, and fundraising activities, the congregation has continued to demonstrate generous support for the church’s work and mission.
Planned giving has been sustained over the past year and overall income has increased by 7%. In summary, total income was £186,467 and total expenditure was £185,498 which shows a robust budget was put in place!
The sumup machine has proved to be problematic and instead a facility to donate using a ‘Quick Response’ code has been set up. We also encourage where possible donations through the Parish Giving Scheme which also allows Gift Aid to be reclaimed easily.
Thanks are due to the Church Estates Charity which supports the Rector’s secretary and associated expenses. This year it has also supported prayer spaces and our Children’s and Youth Worker. The community magazine, Nevilles Cross Quarterly, also has a grant from the councillors to cover about half the expenses.
St. Johns has some investments from which we receive an income, although the underlying value of these declined during the year. We also receive investment from an endowment fund set up with monies from the sale of the former church all which yields about £6,000.
Our finances have stabilised in recent years and this has allowed us to pay our Parish Share to the Diocese in full. This accounts for 36% of our total expenditure and supports the work of the diocese. The PCC also agreed to meet our pledge in 2026.
St Johns’s gave £6,000 to outward giving to several charities including: A Rocha – a Christian environmental charity, Friends Families and Travellers supporting Travelling communities, Transform Trade, NEPACS which supports local work with families who have loved ones in prison and supporting the work of Catherine Lee through the Church Mission Society (CMS). Special donations included a Christmas collections to DASH – a housing charity.
During the year expenditure on building maintenance increased. This was anticipated and we continue to make provision through a building major repairs fund.
We have a mission fund which helped support the work of Amy who left us during the Autumn to further her ordination training .
Our financial situation is sound but this does rely on the continued financial support of the congregation.
**Approved by the PCC at its meeting on 14[th] May 2026, and signed on its behalf by The Reverend Barnaby Huish (Chairman).**
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## **SUMMARY**
## **RECEIPTS**
Unrestricted Receipts £125,585 Restricted Receipts £52,302 Investment income £8,579 **Total Receipts 2025 £186,467 PAYMENTS** Unrestricted Payments £102,562 Restricted Payments £82,936 Total Payments 2025 £185,498 **ASSETS AT 31[ST] DECEMBER 2025** Investments £248,695 Bank balances £65,486 **Total monetary assets £314,181**
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## **St. John’s Neville’s Cross**
## **Charity Number 1131053**
## **Receipts & Payments Accounts for 2025 Receipts**
|**Receipts & Payments Accounts for 2025**|**Receipts & Payments Accounts for 2025**|**Receipts & Payments Accounts for 2025**|**Receipts & Payments Accounts for 2025**|**Receipts & Payments Accounts for 2025**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Receipts**|||||
|**General Fund Receipts**|||||
||**2025**|**2025 Gift Aid**|**Budget 2025**|**2024**|
|Planned Giving|77,582||80,000|78,904|
|Gift Aid||17,750|25,000||
|Gift Aid from previous year donations|||||
|Loose Plate Collection|2,844||4,000|2,684|
|Other Donations|3,110||3,000|3,983|
|Fees (Banns, weddings, funerals, etc.)|1,936||500|3,092|
|Church weekend away|8,343|100|6,000||
|Sundry Church Activity|||250||
|Hire of Premises|3,728||4,000|3,135|
|Messy Church|342|38|400|294|
|Open Doors|537|89|400|462|
|Solar Panels|3,006||2,500|2,482|
|Other Income|1||1|1|
|Interest/Dividends received|8,579||7,500|8,422|
|**Total General Fund Receipts**|**110,008**|**17,978**|**133,551**|**103,459**|
||||||
|**Designated Funds Receipts**|||||
|Play People|801|-|800|818|
|Organ Fund|||||
|**Total Designated Funds Receipts**|**801**|**-**|**800**|**818**|
||||||
|**Restricted Funds Receipts**|||||
|Local Mission and Grants|7,312|1,672|15,000|11,740|
|Grants (Church Estate Charity and others)|26,425||27,500|21,406|
|Eco Festival|1,523|318|1,500|1,743|
|LOL/ Whitaugh|4,394|50|3,600|2,518|
|Community Choir|6,673|118|5,500|5,496|
|Flower Fund|125|||120|
|Special Collections|2,241|||932|
|Cross Quarterly|650|||500|
|**Total Restricted Funds Receipts**|**49,343**|**2,158**|**53,100**|**44,455**|
||||||
|**Total All Receipts**|**160,152**|**20,136**|**187,451**|**148,732**|
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## **Receipts & Payments Accounts for 2025 Payments**
|**Receipts & Payments Accounts for 2025**|**Receipts & Payments Accounts for 2025**|**Receipts & Payments Accounts for 2025**|**Receipts & Payments Accounts for 2025**|**Receipts & Payments Accounts for 2025**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Payments**|||||
|**General Fund Payments**|||||
||**2025**|**Budget 2025 **|**% of budget**|**2024**|
|Parish Share|66,708|66,708|100.0%|63,525|
|Office Sundries & Book-keeper|4,011|||4,054|
|Services & Music & MD|3,522|1,600|220.1%|3,494|
|Organists|1,725|1,200|143.8%|1,485|
|Messy Chuch|428|750|57.0%|496|
|Café Church|17|200|8.4%|156|
|Other mission and outreach/Open doors|197|800|24.6%|115|
|PCC Expenses|30|||30|
|Clergy Expenses (water)|508|1,000|50.8%|528|
|Maintenance|2,850|||7,562|
|Cleaning and Consumables|2,542|||2,391|
|Utilities|5,053|16,000|31.6%|5,337|
|Accountancy|332|300|110.7%|269|
|Printing|903|||263|
|Telephone/Wi Fi|615|||580|
|Insurance|3,581|||3,500|
|Bank Charges|60|||60|
|Sundries||500|0.0%||
|SMDT/PMC/Give it a go expenses|-|||350|
|Fundraising (Sum up and Envelopes)|88|200|43.8%|106|
|Church weekend away|8,535|6,000|142.3%|745|
|Other Sundry events|49|500|9.8%||
|Funeral/Wedding fees Diocese|810|||1,606|
|HMRC|-||||
|**Total General Fund Payments**|**102,562**|**95,758**|**107.1%**|**96,651**|
||||||
|**Designated Funds Payments**|||||
|Major Building Repairs|10,517|8,000|131.5%|9,303|
|Outward Giving|6,000|7,000|85.7%|6,000|
|Organ Fund|||||
|Playpeople|1,041|800|130.1%|902|
|**Total Designated Funds Payments**|**17,558**|**15,800**|**111.1%**|**16,204**|
||||||
|**Restricted Funds Payments**|||||
|Rector's Secretary Salary / expenses|11,924|16,500|72.3%|13,183|
|Missioner Salary/ Expenses|14,192|18,000|78.8%|14,714|
|Cross Quarterly|1,282|1,250|102.6%|1,258|
|Eco Fest|927|1,500|61.8%|846|
|LOL|4,086|4,000|102.2%|3,040|
|Nevilles Cross Community Choir|4,574|5,500|83.2%|5,684|
|Flowers|159|||179|
|Special Collections|1,851|||937|
|Children/Youth ministry Salaries|26,383|27,000|97.7%|22,401|
|**Total Restricted Funds Payments**|**65,378**|**73,750**|**88.6%**|**62,241**|
||||||
|**Total All Payments**|**185,498**|**185,308**|**100.1%**|**175,096**|
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**Funds**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Transfers Transfers 31st Dec
General Fund 1st Jan 2025 Receipts Payments IN OUT 2025
Investment 66,099 8,579 74,678
Current Assets 23,270 119,406 102,562 11,000 29,114
Total General Fund 89,369 127,985 102,562 - 11,000 103,793
Designated funds
Building Major Repairs 36,250 10,517 5,000 30,733
Mission & Gifts 10% Fund - 6,000 6,000 -
Playpeople 2,758 801 1,041 2,518
Baptistry Grant 1,385 1,385
Organ Fund 1,563 1,563
Total Designated Funds 40,571 2,186 17,558 11,000 - 36,199
Restricted Funds
Rector's Secretary & Office - 2,501 12,342 11,924 - 2,084
LOL Youth Ministry 2,582 4,444 4,086 2,940
Environment & Community Fund 4,617 1,842 927 5,532
Harold Lister Fund 700 700
Flowers 56 125 159 22
Community Choir 2,562 6,791 4,574 4,779
Church Youth Worker - 14,566 12,053 26,383 - 28,895
Cross Quarterly Newsletter - 1,317 650 1,282.34 - 1,949
Missioner Salary & Expenses 15,507 9,628 14,192 10,943
Special Collections - 5 2,241 1,851 385
Total Restricted Funds 7,635 50,116 65,378 - - - 7,627
Endowment Funds
Church Hall Trust 193,722 6,179 199,901
Total funds 331,297 186,467 185,498 332,266
52,302 Assets
Bank Accounts
CafCash Account 8,608 7,088
CafCash (LOL) Account 2,553 2,911
CafGold Account 36,632 23,094
Lloyds TSB 6,713 9,225
Vicarage Fund CCLA 426 445
CBF Deposit fund (Church Hall) 16,544 22,723
Total Bank Accounts 71,475 65,486
Gain on Loss on Units 31st Dec.
Investments Valuation Valuation Sold 2025
COIF Ethical Fund 66,099 - 3,381 62,718
`
CBF Investment Fund 193,722 - 7,745 185,977
Total Investments 259,821 - 11,126 - 248,695
Total Assets 331,296 314,181
**----- End of picture text -----**
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 14[th] May 2026 and signed on its behalf
The Revd Barnaby T Huish **(Chairman)**
9
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **General Funds**
**Money can be used for any of the church's charitable purposes, at the discretion of the PCC.**
## **Designated Funds**
## **Part of general funds that trustees have set aside for a specific purpose.**
**Major building repairs.** The PCC has continued its policy of transferring £5,000 each year into this fund from the General Fund. They may, from time to time, review whether this is an appropriate amount.
**Playpeople** is administered by the PCC who provide premises and staff for this community activity. The church acquired £801 from this once independent group which can be used to purchase equipment as deemed necessary.
**Organ Fund.** A generous gift was designated to be spent on the organ at some time in the future. There was no expenditure on organ maintenance during 2025.
## **Restricted Funds**
## **Money that must be used only for the specific purpose for which it was given.**
**Rector's Secretary and Office** . The Rector's secretary is employed by St. John's on behalf of St John's, St. Margaret's and St. Edmund's churches. The salary and general office expenses are fully reimbursed by the Church Estates charity.
**LOL Youth Ministry Fund.** LOL (Living out Love) was originally a project of St. John's, St. Margaret's, St. Oswald's and Emmanuel churches. It continues on a voluntary basis. with St. John's and Kings church. St. John's takes legal and financial responsibility for the project.
**Environment and Community Fund.** The PCC decided to place the surplus generated from the EcoFest (and similar events) since 2014 in a restricted fund for environmental and community projects, including the annual EcoFest.
**Harold Lister Fund.** The fund results from a legacy in the will of the late Harold Lister. It was stipulated that the sum of £1,000 'shall be used for the Church purposes by the Rector from time to time as his discretion'. £700 of the fund remains
10
**Flower Fund** . The fund is used for money collected for church flowers
**Community Choir.** The PCC decided to support the formation of Neville's Cross Community Choir, allowing the choir to use the church without charge. The funds are administered by the church and the legal position is that the choir is under the control of the PCC.
**Church Youth Worker** . The PCC appointed a Children's and Youth Worker. Applications are made for grants in support of employment and other costs.
**Cross Quarterly News Letter.** The publication of a Community newsletter, Cross Quarterly is a church initiative for the benefit of the wider community. A grant of £650 was received from the Local Councillor
**Local Mission Fund.** In 2020 the PCC agreed to fund a Local Mission worker for 21 hours a week. Work is done within the parish and outreach extends to the neighbouring parish of Bearpark. The post is funded by donations and grants.
## **Endowment Funds**
## **A type of restricted fund where the capital must be retained and only the income can be spent**
**Church Hall Trust Fund.** The fund originated from the sale of the site of the old church hall. The capital was invested in 8,373 units of the Central Board of Finance Investment fund at a cost of £62,627. The use of the fund is restricted to the building of a new hall. As this restricted use is unlikely to be fulfilled, it is included in these accounts as an endowment fund. Dividends and interest are available for furthering the religious and other charitable work of the Church of England within the parish and are therefore included in assets of the General Fund. The value of the fund at the end of 2025 was £199,901
## **Restricted grants received**
The Church Estates Charity. The objects of the Church Estate Charity are 'furthering the religious and other works of the Church of England within the area of benefit, that is the parishes St. Margaret and St. John's. In practice the cost of the Rector's Secretary and office expenses are paid by the charity. In 2025, this amounted to £24,394.80
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CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLIND WALES
Independent examinèrfs report on the
accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
R•port to th& trustsesl
membors ot
PCC of St John's, Neville's Cross
On aceounts for the year
end•d
3111 Decèmber 2025
Charity no
lif any)
1131053
Set out on pages
Ii¢men*& ID InrJutsthÈpaJe humbèn% ofoddthonai9ht81
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the abov8
charity rthe Trust'l for the year ended 3111212025.
Rè8ponsibllltiè8 and
basis of mport
As the chanty's trustees, you are re8ponsible forthe preparation of the
accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charrties Act 2011
llhe AL*I.
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out
under section 145 of the 2011 Aci and in carrying out my examination, I
have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Comrnission
under Section 14515llbl of the Act.
Independent
xaminer's statsm•nt I have completed my examinats'on. l ¢onfim that no matefial matters hav8
come to rny attention in Connection with the examination lotherthan th08e
disdosed below'l which give rne cause to believe that in, any material
r88pe¢t.'
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with sectioft 130
of the Charities Act., or
the accounts did not acrd with the accounting records,. or
the accounts did not Comply with the applicable reqU1MentS
oncerning the fo and content of accounts set out in the Charities
(Awounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any Tequirement
that the account5 give a and fairf view which is [t a matter
considered a8 part of an independent examination.
. Please delete the words in the brackets rfthey do not apply.
Signad:
Dat•:
1610312026
Namo..
Antony Friswell
Rèlevant profèsslonal
qualificationlsl or body
lif any)..
Addrnss:
Westholme, Durham Moor, Durham. DH15AH
IER
Oct 2018
12
Section B
Disc105ure
Only complete If the examiner needs to highlight materi31 mallers of ¢oncern
18ee CC32, Indendent examlnation of charity account8.' direetionB and
guidancè for examiners).
Glv• hèr• brlgf d•tall8 Ot
any it•m$ that thè
8xamln•r WIS# to
diselos•.
Cash received at Ecofest was recorded as a single amount. There was no
eviden that it had been counted by IAYO independent people and there was no
distinction between lees paid by outside stall holders and cash collected at
stslls and activities managed by St John's Church
A number of Gift Aid DlaratiOnS signed by an individual have l)een used in
support of separate donations rnade by husband and wife. If husband and wrfe
make separate donationg, they Should each sign their own gift aid declarations.
Oct 2018
IER
13