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← The Parochial Church Council For The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Standon

2024-12-31-accounts

Parochial Church Council of St Mary, Standon

Report and Accounts Year ended 31st December 2024

Parochial Church Council of St Mary, Standon Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2024

Standon PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England which operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. It has the responsibility of co-operating with the Rector in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the fabric of the church building, its contents and the churchyard. It is in a benefice with the parishes of The Mundens with Sacombe.

All of our services are joint ones with our benefice partners. Our average attendance was 70 at our 10.30 services and 11 at our 8.00. We offer:

During the year, we conducted 10 funerals and 3 weddings in the church. We baptised 5 children in mainstream services.

Throughout the year we have unlocked our church during daylight hours, and it has been used by many for prayer and reflection. We hosted the annual local District Bell Ringers’ service as well as concerts by external groups, including the local community choir, which rehearses weekly in St Mary’s.

Membership

Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. Our 2024 annual meeting took place on May 12[th ] after the morning service.

During the year, the following served as members of the PCC:

Rector Rev John Chitham
Elected Members
Elected Members		 Mrs Angie Adamson (from 12thMay)
Mr Cliff Beeston
Wardens Mrs Angie Adamson (until 12thMay) Mrs Stephanie Beeston
Mrs Marion Smith (from 12thMay) Miss Lizzy Franks
Mr Keith Plummer Mr Richard Franks (until 12thMay)
Mrs Sue Geddes (until 12thMay)
Reader Mrs Caroline Franks Mr Derek Goodall
Mrs Margaret Goodall
Officers Miss Lizzy Franks Hon. Secretary Mr Mark Korczyk
Mrs Caroline Franks Hon. Treasurer Mrs Marion Smith (until 12thMay)
Mr Michael Smith
Deanery Synod Mrs Angie Adamson (from 12thMay)
Representatives Mrs Diane Moss (from 12thMay)
Banks CAF Bank Ltd The CBF Church of England Deposit Fund
25 Kings Hill Avenue 80 Cheapside
Kings Hill London
West Malling, Kent EC2V 6DZ
ME19 4JQ
Investment Funds The CBF C of E Investment Fund Independent
Sarah Crispin ACA
80 Cheapside Examiner
Stewardship
London 1 Lamb’s Passage
EC2V 6DZ London
EC1Y 8AB

1

Parochial Church Council of St Mary, Standon Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2024

Financial Responsibilities of the PCC

Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.

We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. We are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the church and taking reasonable steps to prevent fraud and other irregularities.

Policy on Reserves

The PCC recognises the need to hold reserves to allow the protection of its core activities in the event of income shortfalls and to promote balanced strategic planning. Reserves are defined as income that becomes available and which the PCC can spend at its discretion to further its objectives but which has not yet been spent, committed or designated.

At the end of 2024, the PCC held £55,165 in its unrestricted General Fund. This sum is significantly below the amount stipulated in our agreed policy to hold between 12 and 18 months’ anticipated expenditure, and we are continuing actively to consider how we will reverse the dwindling of our reserves. Funds beyond our immediate needs are held on deposit with the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund, which provides us with as competitive a rate of interest as any, but with low risk and instant access.

At the end of 2024, in addition to our unrestricted general fund, we hold unrestricted designated funds of:

We have received one legacy in 2024. When we receive a legacy, we transfer 10% to the Tithe Fund, to be used for others as appropriate needs come to our attention.

The restricted restoration fund has received donations from individuals and grants from the Friends of St Mary’s and other charitable trusts to fund capital work, including the preliminaries for the remedial work on our tower, highlighted in our latest Quinquennial report. An application has been submitted in February 2025 to the Listed Places of Worship scheme, to recover VAT paid on capital projects.

Risk Management

Any charity, in carrying out its objectives, must have an eye to the risks involved. We are responsible for an ancient building, designed with no thought for the needs of frail or disabled people. We deal frequently with people who are vulnerable. We work with children. Our income is by donation and often some of the PCC have access to confidential information.

We try to guard against risk without letting risk-limiting measures get in the way of our ministry. Where we can, we insure against financial loss.

Where this is not practical, we try to minimise risk in other ways. For example, we have treated the lead on our church roof with Smart Water and installed an alarm system; we have also asked our neighbours in the High Street to report any suspicious activity around the church, and we leave the flood lights on until after the pub opposite has closed and the High Street is quiet.

We have installed a CCTV system to monitor activity at our main doors.

We hold a comprehensive set of risk assessments which are reviewed regularly.

We have an appointed Health and Safety Officer and there is a Health and Safety Policy in place.

We have installed handrails where they are needed.

2

Parochial Church Council of St Mary, Standon Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2024

We have a care to the qualifications and integrity of those to whom we entrust sensitive information or access to our funds and take sensible precautions to protect them and those with whom they interact, including safer recruitment procedures and the use of encryption or other security systems on the appropriate computers.

The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (which sets out the PCC’s obligations to safeguard children and vulnerable adults).

We make sure that all trustees of the charity (which works regularly with children and vulnerable adults), as well as those working regularly with children and vulnerable adults are subjected to DBS checks in line with Thirtyone:eight guidelines and are conversant with our Safeguarding Policy and Good Practice Guidelines.

We ensure that all involved in the work of our church have the required level of safeguarding training and DBS checks, according to Church of England best practice guidelines. Our benefice Safeguarding Officer, who advises the PCC, has extensive experience of child protection and safeguarding issues in relation to her role as Designated Senior Person at school and her work as Safeguarding Officer at CPAS summer camps.

The financial functions of the PCC are shared between three people, working independently. All work undertaken by volunteers is subject to review.

Committee Structure and Review of the Year

The PCC operates through a number of committees, which meet between meetings of the full PCC. Other than the Standing Committee, the PCC committees do not have delegated decision making powers; they make recommendations to the PCC, which is responsible for all decision making.

Standing Committee

This, the only committee required by law, has power to transact PCC business between its meetings, subject to directions given by the council. It is comprised of the Rector, our Reader, Churchwardens, Secretary and Treasurer and meets when necessary. The Benefice Administrator also attends these meetings.

Electoral Roll

At the end of 2024, there were 107 members on the electoral roll. 31 of these live outside the parish.

Public Benefit

The Trustees have complied with the duty to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

Highlights of the work of our benefice

All of the services in our benefice are joint ones of St Mary’s, Standon, All Saints, Little Munden and St Catherine’s, Sacombe. We continue to stream our main Sunday services online, as people find this useful if they’re unable to attend in person. We also lead a monthly service in a local care home for adults with learning difficulties.

We offer friendship, practical help and pastoral care to any in our community who need it. Our home groups and Bible study groups have mixed online and in-person meetings, and participants have continued to find them helpful. We have continued with our, ‘Midweek Music’ recitals and time of social interaction monthly on Wednesday lunchtimes.

Our groups all prepare reports for the annual meeting and those contain more detail about our work than is included here.

World Mission Group

This committee is benefice-wide and considers matters to do with world-wide mission, including the way we support our missionary partners overseas, primarily, through prayer and encouragement. It considers which charities and organisations might be supported through appeals, special collections or specific donations and has organised fundraising events for specific missionary projects.

Special Appeals

Once again, special appeals were well supported during 2024.

3

Parochial Church Council of St Mary, Standon Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2024

The total of the amounts collected through the Standon PCC account in 2024 in response to appeals to help others totalled £12,462, including the amount given for our regular missionary partners.

Members took part in Operation Christmas Child, filling shoe boxes to be sent to parts of the world where children affected by war or disaster have no other hope of receiving a gift at Christmas. 124 boxes were sent in November, bound for Ukraine and Malawi.

Youth and Children’s Work

Our youth work has continued to provide a wide range of activities for young people.

Finance Committee

This committee of representatives of PCC, church members and the other benefice treasurers considers all aspects of PCC finances. It is responsible for the preparation and monitoring of budgets, review of the current financial position and for advising the PCC on financial matters.

Our financial results for this year show a deficit on our unrestricted general fund of £19,693. £78,706 was spent during the year on providing Christian ministry from St Mary’s. This includes parish share payments to the Diocese of £62,653 to support diocesan costs such as clergy stipends and housing, training for clergy and readers and the many support services we have available to us in our parish ministry, and costs of £5,522 to support our youth work.

4

Parochial Church Council of St Mary, Standon Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2024

In addition, we spent £22,615, including £2,209 from the restricted Friends of Standon Churchyard Fund, on the running and maintenance of the church and churchyard, and £6,979 on administrative and other costs. We have spent £14,596 from the restricted Restoration Fund on capital projects, wholly funded by grants and donations for that purpose.

Other High Points of the Year

Our aim is the promotion of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the practices of the Church of England. All our activities are organised against this background. Our stated aim, with which all our service materials are badged, is ‘Being witnesses to Jesus, making disciples of Jesus, growing leaders for Jesus’. This aim permeates all that we do.

Being witnesses to Jesus includes being his presence in our community. We have continued to provide pastoral support, events and opportunities for people to gather together, practical help through our support of the local foodbank and taking every opportunity we see to express our faith in a way that demonstrated God’s love for all, and what he offers to any who come to him. Our pastoral team has worked to offer support to those who need it. Our funeral ministry has been particularly important, a source of hope and comfort for grieving families, and our community has appreciated the church building, as we’ve used it for pastoral services and community events as well as welcoming visitors for whatever reason they come. Our toddler group continues to thrive, as do our monthly concerts with time to get together beforehand over a cup of coffee or tea. A group of bereaved spouses meet monthly to offer each other support, and a group of people who are on their own meets monthly for lunch at a local pub. Members of our churches continue to be involved in many of the organisations in our parishes.

Making disciples of Jesus includes nurturing new Christians and developing our existing congregations. We aim to run entry level courses whenever they are needed. We have followed several Biblical teaching series in our mainstream services, particularly at our midweek services, where we have followed the traditional sermon with a period of discussion. In 2024 we explored a diverse selection of Biblical books from Lamentations to Hebrews, as well as discussing such topics as what the Kingdom of God means for our lives now. Our home groups continue to stretch participants, as well as providing mutual support and encouragement. We seek to encourage and develop a desire among our members continually to be learning and growing as Christians.

We have worked closely with our two benefice church schools, continuing the strong ties between church and school and working to draw some of the children and, with them, their parents into church family life. We have welcomed our church schools to our churches for their harvest, Easter and end of year services. Most of the Little Munden School pupils attend our Wednesday café in All Saints, taking part in the activities and teaching provided, and often involving their parents too.

We try to organise worship that will draw in members of our community. Our benefice choir is highly admired in our area, and enhances our worship, particularly at our monthly choral evensong services. We continue to offer Book of Common Prayer services as well as Common Worship ones, and on the fourth Sunday of each month we hold an informal service where families are encouraged to come and join in activities as well as more traditional worship.

Our monthly churchyard working party continues to draw in people not otherwise associated with the church as well as keeping our churchyard looking attractive and tidy.

Growing leaders for Jesus focusses more on our own people. We encourage and offer help to any in our congregation who are hearing God’s call, to explore what that might mean. There is funding available for any for whom structured training is appropriate.

Our beautiful, ancient, grade 1 listed building presents us with real challenges as we strive to be the living church in these villages. The Friends of St Mary’s continue to raise funds to finance restoration projects, and following our quinquennial inspection in 2022, we are planning significant work to the tower. Tenders have been received, and we hope that, after several delays, the work will start in the spring of 2025.

5

Parochial Church Council of St Mary, Standon Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2024

The Friends of Standon Churchyard team manages the churchyard for conservation and the protection of wildlife as well as for the benefit of the bereaved, forming a working party on the first Saturday morning of each month, which anyone interested is welcome to join.

Much has been achieved during 2024, but, as ever, there is much still to do as we shape our vision for the next years. We are ready and eager to carry our work forward, and, with God’s help, plan to be instrumental in spreading his gospel ever wider in this community and abroad.

Looking forward

In March 2025, the scaffolding has been erected and we are embarking on the long-planned restoration work on the tower. This is an extensive project, for which the Friends have been fundraising for more than 20 years. The work will take several months, and will be funded by FOSM and other grants.

Limitations of this report

Because we strive to operate in everything as part of a united benefice this report, from just one parish of the three, does not provide a complete or fully accurate picture of our work. It should be read in conjunction with reports of what is happening in our sister parishes of The Mundens and Sacombe.

This report was approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by Rev John Chitham (Incumbent).

John Chitham

John Chitham (Apr 23, 2025 19:04 GMT+1)

Apr 23, 2025

6

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF

Parochial Church Council of St Mary, Standon

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Parochial Church Council of St Mary, Standon ('the charity') for the year ended 31st December 2024 on pages 8 to 12 following.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s 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 2011 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 in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

  1. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Sarah Crispin

Sarah Crispin (May 1, 2025 08:05 GMT+1)

Sarah Crispin ACA

Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

Date: May 1, 2025

7

Parochial Church Council of St Mary, Standon Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31st December 2024

Unrestricted
Note
Funds
£
Receipts
Voluntary income
2a
71,245
Income from investments
2b
5,592
Church activities
6,699
Other incoming resources
1,009
Total Receipts
84,545
Payments
Church activities
3
105,126
Governance costs
4
1,080
Total Payments
106,206
Net Receipts / (Payments)
(21,661)
Transfers between funds
1,968
(19,693)
Balance as at 1st January 2024
74,858
Balance as at 31st December 2024
55,165		 Designated
Funds
£
6,050
6,050
1,275
1,275
4,775
(1,968)
2,807
43,623
46,430		 Restricted
Funds
£
34,457
1,104
1,991
37,552
30,772
30,772
6,780
6,780
25,046		 Total
2024
£
111,752
6,696
8,690
1,009
128,147
137,173
1,080
138,253
(10,106)
0
(10,106)
143,527		 Total
2023
£
156,515
4,530
7,025
140
168,210
136,993
1,062
138,055
30,155
30,155
113,372
31,826 133,421 143,527

The notes on pages 10 to 12 form part of these accounts

8

Parochial Church Council of St Mary, Standon Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31st December 2024

Bank Balances and Cash
Short term deposits
Cash at bank and in hand
Of the total cash, £25,046 is restricted.
Other Assets and Liabilities
Assets:
CBF interest received 04.01.25 for 2024
Gift aid tax recovery not yet received
VAT recoverable (Listed Places of Worship Scheme)
Grants to be received for capital work completed
Bookstall stock at cost
Other monetary assets
Liabilities:
Unbilled fee for independent examination
Money donated for missionary partners and
appeals not yet sent
Other amounts due
Investments
Market value 01.01.24
Unrealised gain/(loss) in the year
Market value 31.12.24
The investment comprises shares in the Central Board of Finance,
Chancel Fund
Chapman Bequest
Sadleir Bequest (Grave Trust)
Standon Church Charities		 2024
2023
£
£
86,250
81,903
47,171
61,622
133,421
143,525
969
1,098
4,447
3,594
1,021
2,495
3,474
167
3,175
5,535
9,779
16,196
1,128
1,100
10,651
10,544
1,410
1,280
13,189
12,924
39,763
36,344
910
3,419
40,673
39,763
as follows:
No. of
No. of
shares
shares
286
286
292
292
134
134
1,047
1,047
1,759
1,759

The notes on pages 10-12 form part of these accounts

These accounts were approved by the Parochial Church Council and signed on its behalf.

John Chitham

John Chitham (Apr 23, 2025 19:04 GMT+1)

Apr 23, 2025

Rev John Chitham (Incumbent)

9

Parochial Church Council of St Mary, Standon Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024

1 Accounting Policies

The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.

Funds

Endowment funds are funds the capital of which must be maintained; only income arising from investment of the endowment may be used either as restricted or unrestricted funds, depending upon the purpose for which the endowment was established.

The value of the PCC's endowment funds at 31st December is £16,463 (2023 £16,095).

Restricted funds represent (a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest, and (b) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given.

Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. The PCC does not usually invest separately for each fund. The value of the PCC's restricted funds at 31st December is £31,826 (2023 £25,046). Another £24,209 of restricted funds are invested in CBF Investment Fund Income Shares.

Designated funds represent income set aside by the PCC for payment of specific expenses.

The value of the PCC's designated funds at 31st December is £46,430 (2023 £43,623).

Unrestricted funds are general funds which may be used for PCC ordinary purposes. The value of the PCC's general fund at 31st December is £55,165 (2023 £74,857).

2 Receipts
2a
Voluntary income
Planned giving
Income tax
Collections and donations
Legacies
Grants and appeals
Contributions
2b
Income from investments
Dividends
Interest		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
47,612
11,997
10,035
138
1,463
71,245
5,592
5,592		 Designated
Funds
£
6,000
50
6,050
0		 Restricted
Funds
£
1,100
1,207
2,841
29,309
34,457
1,104
1,104		 Total
2024
£
48,712
13,204
12,876
6,000
29,447
1,513
111,752
1,104
5,592
6,696		 Total
2023
£
55,220
15,535
21,082
38,748
21,446
4,484
156,515
1,087
3,443
4,530

10

Parochial Church Council of St Mary, Standon Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31st December 2024

3 Payments
Church activities
Missionary and charitable giving:
Overseas Missionary Societies
Overseas relief and
development agencies
Home missions and other
Church societies
Secular agencies
Parish share
Other ministry expenses
Church running expenses &
maintenance
Other expenses
Administrator
Other administrative expenses
Capital projects		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
363
50
413
62,653
14,675
20,406
101
4,579
2,299
105,126		 Designated
Funds
£
1,000
1,000
275
1,275		 Restricted
Funds
£
2,970
175
504
9,215
12,864
1,103
2,209
14,596
30,772		 Total
Total
2024
2023
£
£
4,333
5,612
175
50
554
1,474
9,215
5,523
14,277
12,659
62,653
60,141
16,053
17,366
22,615
22,980
101
249
4,579
4,356
2,299
2,149
14,596
17,093
137,173
136,993

Capital Projects

The project to repair the stonework on the tower continues. After the prework completed in 2023, the work has gone out to tender but various delays have meant that winter has delayed the start of the work. It's now hoped that builders will be appointed and work will start in the spring of 2025. FOSM still plans to fund the work, and the promise of a top-up grant has been received, which will enable us to complete more of the work in one go. £6,313 plus vat (reclaimed through the LPW scheme) has been spent on the tower project in 2024. The work to locate and rectify damage to the Victorian drainage under the tower, started in 2023, has been completed, costing £5,850 plus vat (reclaimed through the LPW scheme).

£287.35 of the vat on capital work is yet to be claimed from LPW. A claim will be submitted in February 2025.

4 Governance costs

Independent examination fee 2024
2023
£
£
1,080
1,062

5 Staff and Trustees

The PCC has no employed members of staff. Other than the Rector, who is not employed by us, its activities are generally carried out by volunteers.

Michael Smith, a Trustee, received £6,624 during the year in his capacity as Benefice Director of Music (2023 £6,525). This amount is permitted by the governing document of the charity, and the cost is shared with our other benefice churches. No remuneration was paid to any other trustee during the year nor to any person connected to them.

The fees of the organist are included in ministry expenses.

PCC members and officers were reimbursed for any PCC expenses they incurred.

11

Parochial Church Council of St Mary, Standon Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31st December 2024

6 Movement in Funds

Unrestricted Funds
General Fund
Unrestricted Funds - Designated
The Centre
Legacy Fund
Tithe Fund
Transport Fund
Streaming equipment Fund
For replacement communion linen
Restricted Funds
Restoration Fund
Appeals
Leadership Training Fund
Bells Appeal
Friends of Standon Churchyard
Piano Fund
Choir Fund
Standon Church Charities
Overseas Mission Partners
Pastoral Fund
Total Funds		 Balance
01.01.24
74,858
1,243
36,290
3,925
1,000
165
1,000
118,481
(3,653)
9,081
1,500
7,097
1,470
100
945
6,503
1,468
535
25,046
143,527		 Income
Transfers
Expenses
between funds
84,545
1,968
(106,206)
(968)
(275)
5,400
600
(1,000)
50
(1,000)
90,595
0
(107,481)
19,538
(14,595)
11,876
(10,843)
2,463
(2,209)
1,715
(1,103)
657
(503)
1,302
(1,518)
37,551
(30,771)
128,146
(138,252)		 Balance
31.12.24
55,165
0
41,690
3,525
1,000
215
0
101,595
1,290
10,114
1,500
7,097
1,724
100
1,557
6,657
1,252
535
31,826
133,421

Legacies received are allocated to the Legacy Fund (90%) and the Tithe Fund (10%).

7 Connected Charities

The Friends of St Mary's Church, Standon

Charity Commission No. 1088516

Main objects: The preservation, beautification and improvement of the fabric of the church.

These are pursued by raising funds and making donations to Standon PCC towards the cost of the work it supports.

The charity is run by a committee made up of 6 people appointed by Standon PCC and 6 people elected by its annual general meeting.

12