PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, GREAT MEOLS
Annual report of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) for the year ending
31st December 2020
The principal function of the PCC is to promote, in the parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.” The PCC members are also Trustees, and, therefore, stewards both of the mission and the resources of the Church, ensuring that it is solvent, wellrun and delivering its charitable outcomes. In addition, the PCC is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Church Centre.
PCC members were:
Vicar Revd. Canon Gillian Rossiter Readers David Moss Lesley Young Churchwardens Adele Sedgwick Tim Smith Representatives on Lesley Young Deanery Synod Claire Barnard, Daniel Branch, Eunice Moss Sheena Wilson (from October 2020) Pastoral Worker Chris Branch Julia Johnson Elected members Steve Austin (Treasurer) Gill Childs Rowan Connell Jean Hodgson Brian Kearsley (Secretary until October 2020) Sue Dutton (Secretary from October 2020) Andy Liston Hazel Moon Clare O’Connell Steve Symes (Assistant Treasurer)
The PCC met on three occasions (January, February, March) supported by a Standing Committee which met on one occasion (February). Since March face to face meetings have not been possible so virtual meetings
have taken over, with PCC meeting twice virtually, while the Standing Committee met once virtually and corresponded by email.
2020 began much as in previous years with church groups and activities meeting as usual and events including the Spring Fair, a VE day Street Party and the Patronal Festival planned. Who would have thought that by March the global pandemic would put all this on hold and even 12 months on we would be in lockdown again and still social distancing!
The impact and implications of the coronavirus for church has been huge as guidance has been reviewed both nationally and by the Diocese almost on a weekly basis. Gillian and the church wardens must be congratulated on keeping up with the constant changing regulations in order to keep the church a sanitised, socially distanced and safe space.
The ‘Setting God’s People Free’ initiative was renamed in 2020 ‘Everyday Faith’ and there is no doubt that St John’s has reached out, not only to our church community but also the wider community as Covid-19 restrictions have increased.
A ‘Keep in Touch’ group soon grew to 260 members and people were encouraged to pray at home and light a candle for the NHS; David provided details on the respective Saints days, while Gillian circulated daily prayers and thoughts by audio. Weekly communion services were videoed and recorded on U-tube and added to our website. Tim played and circulated a daily hymn to a WhatsApp group and there has been telephone contact to those in need, together with volunteers shopping for those who needed it.
Our usual Thursday Soup & Sandwich initiative grew out of all proportion to provide at its height for up to 50 families every week day. These were shopped for, prepared and delivered by an army of volunteers from the whole community led mainly by Rev. Gillian and Chris Branch and their team from the church centre.
Children’s activities have included writing to residents in our local nursing homes; making rainbows for isolated people and a virtual Messy Church based on Noah’s Ark, while Kath has sent out audio stories and songs to our Little Fishes.
Sunday morning services in church (when we have been able to hold them) have been very different with numbers limited to 50, no singing, social distancing and only the Host, no wine. The church has been open weekday mornings for private prayer. Thanks to Tim’s organisation and his helpers who cleaned the church after services we have all been kept safe.
The Christmas services seemed even more poignant last year and especially the ever-popular Christingle, which was increased to four socially distanced Christingle’s in order to accommodate as many families
as possible, giving a much-needed sense of normality in the run up to Christmas.
Although the Swop Shop at St Chads and the Food bank closed in May we were still able to offer some support and donated Christmas Pyjamas and jumpers again.
In February the Church wardens were tasked with reviewing all documents held by the church, in light of the Diocesan review of its handling of Child Protection over the years. Thankfully this showed up no cause for concern at St John’s.
Maintenance of the church, church centre and grounds has continued regardless. The major work on the West Wall, started over the summer was eventually completed in December. Thanks to Steve Symes for overseeing this and he has prepared a separate report of all works completed during the year.
The Parish Share for 2020 increased again by 2.5% to £82,598 continuing to add to pressures on cash flow. After analysing income and expenditure it was estimated that Covid-19 restrictions could result in a shortfall of about £1,000 per week, exacerbated by lack of income due to cancellation of services. Surprisingly the 2020 financial year actually saw income exceed expenditure by £6495.
Planned Giving contributors fluctuated over the year as we lost some of our long- standing members. However, this was offset not only by new members some of whom not members of our congregation but had been influenced by our work in the parish and the local community, together with some generous donations.
Despite financial pressures we have maintained a total of £2,400 donations to: SAT-7 (£600), Royal British Legion (£50), Transforming Lives (£500), The Bible Society (£250), MIND (£500) and the Charles Thompson Mission (£500).
Thanks to the various donations and grants secured we have survived the year quite well financially . Full details of the church’s finances are detailed in the Annual Accounts which the Treasurer, Steve Austin has provided separately.
We were pleased to welcome Francis Skinner as a part time curate in August 2020 together with Sheena Wilson as Reader in October.
2020 has been a difficult year for everybody but it is thanks to Rev Gillian’s inspired leadership, with the support of the Ministry team, the Wardens, Tim and Adele, the PCC and the army of volunteers that we have strengthened not only our church community at St John’s but also our impact on our wider community.
You can keep up to date with all that goes on at St John’s at the website www.stjohnsmeols.co.uk
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST GREAT MEOLS
Page 4
NOTES ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
| NOTES ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 | |
| £ | £ | |
| FIXED ASSETS INVESTMENTS | ||
| Market valuation as at 31 December 2020 (cost £70,000) | 105,349 | 95,957 |
| ( 2019 note : The latest valuation post year end on 23 April 2020 was £89,469 , a reduction of £6,488 | ||
| compared to the valuation as at 31 December 2019. This is due to the impact of COV-19) |
4 FIXED ASSETS INVESTMENTS
| 5 DEBTORS Tax recoverable 6 LIABILITIES Amounts falling due within one year Accruals |
1,239 1,239 0 0 |
8,250 |
|---|---|---|
| 8,250 | ||
| 0 | ||
| 300 |
7 FUNDS
The restricted fund of comprises the following :
Keightley Trust
The Keightley Trust Fund represents income form CBF Investment Fund held by Chester Diocesan Board of Finance with market value of £140,652 as at 31/12/2020 (£133,716 31/12/19).The capital investment is not therefore included in these accounts. The income from the fund is to be used for Educational and mission purposes within the Parish.
| Fund movements Balance at 1 January 2020 Income resources Resources expended Balance at 31 December 2020 |
Keightley Trust £ 12,241 3,969 |
|---|---|
| 16,210 1,975 |
|
| 14,235 |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Report to the trustees of Parish of St John The Baptist , Great Meols On accounts for the year 31 December 2020 Charity no 113062 ended Set out on pages One to Four
Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. responsibilities of The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given examiner’s statement by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention examiner's statement
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
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have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Name: Robert Smith FCA
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