St Laurence Church Catford 37 Bromley Road London, SE6 2TS Regd Charity: 1101092
Annual Report and Accounts 2020
2020 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Laurence Church, Catford
Aim and purposes
St Laurence’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Canon Charles Pickstone, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of St Laurence Centre.
Objectives and activities
The mission of the parish, as expressed in the parish mission statement, is ‘to offer, on behalf of a place that God loves, namely Catford, the praise that it has largely forgotten to express’. The PCC is committed to inviting as many people as possible to worship God, and if they feel so called to become part of the parish community at St Laurence’s. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament. Concomitantly, we invite local people to express their worship of God in altruistic service to their local community.
When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:
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Worship and prayer; learning about the gospel; developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus especially as expressed through the sacraments
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Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish
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Missionary and outreach work.
To facilitate this work, we regard the maintenance of the fabric of the church of St Laurence and St Laurence Centre as of great importance.
Achievements and performance
The Pandemic
This most unusual year, despite many challenges, has proved unexpectedly fruitful. In March, the church was closed, even to clergy, by order of the archbishops, and services went on-line, mainly from the vicarage and the vicarage garden. The clergy had rapidly to learn and develop new skills in order successfully to broadcast the Sunday liturgy, and thus to make divine service easily accessible to and enjoyable by an exclusively on-line audience. In addition to this, contact with parishioners was maintained by telephone contact with the more vulnerable and two new newsletters, one posted out to those not on email, the other emailed to those who were.
As soon as the church was permitted to reopen for private prayer, every effort was made to keep the church both open and safe. At this time, many members of the local community would come into church to say their prayers and light a candle, on occasion walking long distances to reach it as the focus of their permitted daily exercise. Again, as soon as permitted, services were held in church solely for broadcast, engaging the remarkable talents of the Director of Music and organist.
With the closure of the Centre, the church was unable to run community projects, but considerable time and effort was put into planning the many funeral services that took place in church or conducted by the parish clergy, and in comforting the bereaved.
St Laurence Centre, the Community Centre entirely run by the church congregation for the benefit of local people, inevitably remained closed for much of the year, but whenever the Centre was permitted to reopen, it did so with the minimum delay in order to make our Covid-secure resources available to the local community. This was facilitated by a generous grant from the National Lottery Communities Fund, which enabled us to absorb all the extra cleaning and hygiene costs necessitated by the pandemic without having to increase the charges, which, given the reduced capacity of our spaces, would have been crippling for any users. The Centre hosted a large number of non-Christian funeral services for those of other faiths, especially members of the Hindu community, as we were able to offer suitable Covid-secure premises for these occasions. We also worked with the bereaved families to enable them to have as appropriate a service in the circumstances as might be possible. This was also an aspect of the policy of the Church Council to celebrate the diversity of those who live and worship in Catford.
Most of what would in normal years be an exceptionally wide range regular activities of the church, both internal and external, had otherwise to be abandoned over the year.
Financial review
Total receipts of unrestricted funds were £226,344 of which £46,139 was unrestricted planned voluntary donations, and a further £10,185 was from Gift Aid. An unrestricted grant of £25,000 was received, with restricted grants and donations of £34,117. Details are shown in the financial statements. The four flats at 33, 33a, 35 and 35a Bromley Road continued to be let. The flats provided a gross income of £64,600, while the church hall provided a gross income of £70,616.
These amounts compensated for a dramatic decline in giving to the church thanks to the absence of Sunday services by some £13,000. Needless to say, expenditure was pared back to the very minimum for most of the year, with all staff on furlough or flexible furlough as circumstances necessitated.
£202,789 was spent from unrestricted funds to provide the Christian ministry from St Laurence Church, including the contribution to the diocesan parish share that largely provides the stipends and housing for the clergy. The sum that the diocese have to find is shared between its churches, and is based on what parishes are able to afford. St Laurence’s raised its contribution to the diocese to £69,000 this year. Net movement in funds on our restricted investment funds was an increase of £9,233. Thanks to stringent financial controls, the investment income and a very generous grant from the Local Authority which could not be spent due to subsequent lock-downs, our total funds, including income from investments, increased by £32,545. Of the surplus excluding income from investments, £23,312, the majority is represented by the unspent portion of the local authority grant, which has been designated for use for its intended purpose in 2021 as a designated ‘Lockdown Restart Fund’ (see note 9 of the accounts).
Reserves policy
It is PCC policy to try to maintain a balance on free reserves (net current assets) which equates to at least six months’ unrestricted payments during normal times. This is equivalent to £145,000. It is held to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow, to meet emergencies and to protect members of staff in the case of failure. The balance of our reserves at the year end was £147,253 which is on target.
The balance of £25,218 in the fabric fund is retained towards meeting the upkeep of the Church Hall, Church and Flats, while the £18,113 restricted fund is money that has been given specifically to renew the church lighting. £18,132 forms the designated restart fund, the balance of the local authority grant. It is our policy to invest the short term investment fund balances with the CCLA Church of England Deposit Fund, and the remainder in the CCLA Church of England Investment Fund.
Volunteers
We would like to thank all the volunteers who have worked so hard over so difficult a year to enable the church and community centre to survive financially and morally, to care for the congregation, and to keep everyone who does enter the building safe. In particular, we want to mention our churchwardens Ms Bair and Ms Chin, who have worked so tirelessly on our behalf. We have an estimated 50 volunteers who contribute time and energy to the running of the Church and Community Centre, and the entire community of congregation and Centre users are extremely grateful to them.
Structure, governance and management
The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The PCC is a Registered Charity, no 1131092. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St Laurence’s, the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent (our vicar) and other licensed clergy, churchwardens, the Chair of the Centre Management Committee, the enrolling member of the Mothers’ Union, the readers and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. The Director of Music is required to be in attendance when invited. All those who attend our services/members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the electoral roll and stand for election to the PCC.
The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish, including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent.
The full PCC met six times during the year with an average level of attendance of 70%. Given its responsibility for managing St Laurence Centre, the PCC has a Centre Management committee dealing with the running of the Centre. This committee is responsible to the PCC and reports back to it regularly, minutes of their decisions being received by the full PCC and discussed as necessary.
Administrative information
St. Laurence Church is situated at 37, Bromley Road, Catford. It is part of the Diocese of Southwark within the Church of England. The correspondence address is the Parish Office, 37, Bromley Road, London, SE6 2TS. Registered charity number 1131092.
PCC members who have served at any time from 1 January 2019 until the date this report was approved are:
Ex officio members : Incumbent : The Reverend Canon Charles Pickstone (chairman)
Clergy & readers : The Rev’d Iain Farquhar, Mr Peter Charles, Mrs Grace Blyth Wardens : Mrs Sybil Bair Ms Beverley Chin Deanery Synod representatives : Mr Kenneth Agumadu, Ms Jeni Griffith, Mrs Grace Blyth.
Elected members : Mrs Florence Browne-Marke; Mr Gabriel Nwogbo, Mr Onyeka Iloyana; Mr Victor
Obasogie; Ms Antoinette Ojiako; Mr Henry Otoo (until April 2020); Ms Bridgit Sam-Bailey; Mr Joseph Smart (until April 2020).
Chair of Centre Management Committee : Mrs Kay Lanston (until November 2020); Mr Ray Williams (from November 2020)
Hon. Treasurer: vacant
MU Enrolling member : Mrs Margaret Greaves
Approved by the PCC on 19th May 2021 and signed on their behalf by the Reverend Canon Charles Pickstone (PCC Chairman)
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of St Laurence Catford Parochial Church Council
I report on the accounts of the church for the year ended 31 December 2020 which are set out on the subsequent pages, which show that income exceeds expenditure by £32,545. The net assets are valued at £165,366.
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The church’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The church’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 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 2011 Act;
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To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and
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To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given 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 you as 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 examiner’s statement
Since the gross income for the year exceeds the amount provided in section 145 ( 3) of the Act, I confirm that I am qualified to act as Independent Examiner under the provisions of that section of the Act and that my qualification is as shown below.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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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 2011 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act 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.
May 19th, 2021
Gavin Ellis Accountant 26, Bargery Road, London SE6 2LN
Parochial Church Council of St Laurence, Catford
Statement of Financial Activities
for the year ended 31 December 2020
| Notes Incoming resources Voluntary income 2(a) Activities for generating funds 2(b) Income from investments 2(c) Church activities 2(d) TOTAL INCOME Expenditure Church activities 3(a) Raising funds 3(b) TOTAL EXPENDITURE NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) BEFORE INVESTMENT GAINS AND LOSSES NET GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS 5 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds Total funds 2020 2020 2020 2019 £ £ £ £ 81,324 34,117 115,441 74,877 67,676 0 67,676 57,478 3,962 0 3,962 3,935 73,382 0 73,382 139,337 |
|---|---|
| 226,344 34,117 260,461 275,627 |
|
| 202,789 34,117 236,906 299,504 243 0 243 485 |
|
| 203,032 34,117 237,149 299,989 |
|
| 23,312 0 23,312 (24,362) |
|
| 9,233 0 9,233 21,484 |
|
| 32,545 0 32,545 (2,878) 114,708 18,113 132,821 135,699 |
|
| 147,253 18,113 165,366 132,821 |
Parochial Church Council of St Laurence, Catford Statement of Financial Position at 31 December 2020
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Investments 5 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors and prepayments 6a Short-term deposits 6b Cash at bank and in hand LIABILITIES Creditors – due within 1 year 7 NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) TOTAL ASSETS PARISH FUNDS Unrestricted funds General funds Designated funds 9 Restricted 8 |
2020 2019 £ £ 143,753 130,558 |
|---|---|
| 143,753 130,558 |
|
| 12,166 20,333 7,789 6,600 37,796 26,438 |
|
| 57,751 53,371 |
|
| 36,138 51,108 |
|
| 21,613 2,263 |
|
| 165,366 132,821 |
|
| 103,877 102,685 43,376 12,023 18,113 18,113 |
|
| 165,366 132,821 |
The notes on the succeeding pages form part of these accounts Approved by the Parochial Church Council on May 19th, 2021 and signed on its behalf
The Rev’d Canon Charles Pickstone (PCC Chair)
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LAURENCE, CATFORD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2020
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, and with the Regulations’ ‘true and fair view’ provision. They have
been prepared under FRS102 (2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2016 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP(FRS102)).
ASSETS
Consecrated and benefice property
In so far as consecrated and benefice property of any kind is excluded from the statutory definition of ‘charity’ by Section 10(2)(a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011 such assets are not capitalised in the financial statements.
Moveable church furnishings
There are capitalised at cost and depreciated over their useful economic life other than where insufficient cost information is available. In this case the item is not capitalised, but all items are included in the Church’s inventory in any case.
Tangible fixed assets for use by charity
These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £1,000. They are valued at cost or else, for gifts-in-kind, at a reasonable estimate of their open market value on receipt.
Depreciation is calculated to write off the capitalised cost of fixed assets less their currently anticipated residual fair value over their estimated useful lives as follows:
Land: nil
Fixtures and fittings: 20 years
Computers: 3 years
No depreciation is provided on buildings as the currently estimated residual value of the properties is not less than their carrying value and the remaining useful life of these assets currently exceeds 50 years, so that any depreciation charges would be immaterial.
An impairment review is carried out at each year-end and any resultant loss identified included in expenditure for the year.
Investments
Investments quoted on a recognised stock exchange or whose value derives from them are valued at market value at the year end. Other investment assets are included at PCC’s best estimate of market value.
Short term deposits
These are the cash held on deposit either with the Deposit Protection Fund or at the bank.
FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds
These represent the remaining income funds of the PCC that are available for spending on the general purposes of the PCC, including amounts designated by the PCC for fixed assets for its own use or for spending on a future project and which are therefore not included in its ‘free reserves’ as disclosed in the trustees’ report.
The Church Council consider it appropriate to keep approximately six months of expenditure as unrestricted reserves.
Restricted Funds
These are income funds that must be spend on restricted purposes and details of the funds held and restrictions provided are shown in the notes to the accounts.
2. INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
| 2(a) Voluntary income Planned giving: Gift Aid donations Tax recoverable Other planned giving Collections (open plate) Gift days Grants Donations, appeals, etc 2(b) Activities for generating funds Summer& Advent Fairs, events Fundraising Rent–temporary let of clergy flats 2(c) Income from investments Dividends on CCLA Investment Fund Bank & CCLA Deposit Fund Interest 2(d) Income from church activities Fees for weddings and funerals Church Centre lettings-local community use Total income 3.EXPENDITURE 3(a) Church Activities Missionary & charitable giving, (note 11) Ministry: diocesan parish quota Other ministry cost Church running & maintenance Major repairs Staff & volunteer training Bank charges Youth work Director of music, organist, tuning Caretaking 3(b) Raising funds Costs of refreshments TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED Printing, postage & stationery |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL 2020 TOTAL 2019 £ £ £ £ 36,201 36,201 25,971 10,185 10,185 7,580 3,655 3,655 8,185 2,993 2,993 10,920 0 0 0 25,000 34,117 59,117 4,558 3,290 3,290 17,663 |
|---|---|
| 81,324 34,117 115,441 74,877 |
|
| 0 0 0 1,878 3,076 3,076 0 64,600 64,600 55,600 |
|
| 67,676 0 67,676 57,478 |
|
| 3,962 3,962 3,930 9,233 9,233 5 |
|
| 13,195 0 13,195 3,935 |
|
| 2,766 2,766 4,575 70,616 70,616 134,762 |
|
| 73,382 0 73,382 139,337 |
|
| 235,577 34,117 335,649 275,627 |
|
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL 2020 TOTAL 2019 £ £ £ £ 2,500 2,500 2,700 69,000 69,000 67,207 6,725 8,985 15,710 29,740 75,157 75,157 109,715 0 25,132 25,132 21,679 0 0 92 2,643 2,643 2,258 719 719 1,130 0 0 164 12,369 12,369 14,890 33,676 33,676 49,929 |
|
| 202,789 34,117 236,906 299,504 |
|
| 243 243 485 |
|
| 243 0 243 485 |
|
| 203,032 34,117 237,149 299,989 |
4. STAFF COSTS
| 4. STAFF COSTS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 | |||
| Wages & salaries | £ | 97,450 |
£ | 89,199 |
| HMRC Job Retention Grant received | £ | 47,027 |
NIL | |
| No. of permanent employees | 7 | 4 |
No. of permanent employees
There were no employee benefits to key management personnel in the previous or current years. During the year, the PCC employed a parish manager, Director of Music, and a number of caretakers.
5. FIXED ASSETS
| Investments Amounts invested with CCLA Amounts held in trust by CCLA through The South London Church Fund and the Southwark Diocesan Board of Finance in respect of monies in connection with: Sale of 34 Canadian Avenue (1987) Miss Hilda May Augusta Marsh & Miss Pansie Beatrice Edney bequests (1989) These funds are principally invested in units of the CBF Church of England Investment Fund Market value of 7085.49 units at 01 January 2020 (2019: 7085.49 units) Sale of 475.41 units during 2019 (none in 2020) Cost of 204.41 additional units purchased during 2020 (2019: 216.23) Increase (decrease) in Market Value during the year Market value of 7030.62 units at 31 December 2020 (2019: 6863.50 units) |
2020 2019 £ £ 54,942 54,942 10,034 10,034 |
|---|---|
| 64,976 64,976 |
|
| 130,557 114,144 0 -9000 3,962 3,929 9,234 21,484 |
|
| 143,753 130,557 |
| Cost of additional units 34 Canadian Avenue Marsh & Edney Units at December 31st, 2020 34 Canadian Avenue Marsh & Edney |
Units Value (£) 159.52 3,092 44.89 870 |
|---|---|
| 204.41 3,962 |
|
| 5,486.66 112,184 1,543.96 31,569 |
|
| 7,030.62 143,753 |
| 6. CURRENT ASSETS 6(a) Debtors and prepayments Debtors (Unrestricted funds) Prepayments and accrued income Debtors 6(b) Short term deposits Deposits with Nat West Bank Deposit protection scheme 7. LIABILITIES Amounts held on behalf of others Vicar’s Discretionary fund Women’s fellowship Choir holiday fund Choir Bursary fund Minichoir fund Choir Concerts Fund Benevolent Fund Toilet Twinning Other Flat deposits held Other creditors and accruals 8. RESTRICTED FUNDS The restricted funds comprises money donated for the church lighting project |
2020 2019 £ £ 8,030 2,322 4,136 18,011 |
|---|---|
| 12,166 20,333 |
|
| 2,389 0 5,400 6,600 |
|
| 7,789 6,600 |
|
| 2020 2019 £ £ 2,625 2,625 1,849 1,849 268 268 3,479 3,479 310 310 1,120 200 200 200 0 267 1,054 2,174 |
|
| 10,905 11,372 5,400 6,600 19833 33,336 |
|
| 36,138 51,308 |
|
| 2020 2019 18,113 18113 |
|
| 18,113 18,113 |
2020 2019 £ £
9. SUMMARY OF UNRESTRICTED FUND MOVEMENTS
Designated unrestricted funds
| Church maintenance fund Balance 1 January Transfers during the year Balance 31 December Centre maintenance fund Balance 1 January Transfers during the year Balance 31 December Flats maintenance fund Balance 1 January Transfers during the year Balance 31 December Lockdown Restart Fund (London Borough of Lewisham) Balance 1 January Transfers during the year Balance 31 December Total designated funds Unrestricted and undesignated funds Balance 1 January Surplus and transfers during the year Balance 31 December Totals Restricted Designated Unrestricted & undesignated £ £ £ 18,113 43,350 103,877 10. SUMMARY OF ASSETS BY FUND Investments Debtors & prepayments Short term deposits Cash at bank and in hand less creditors due within one year 11. CHARITABLE DONATIONS London Air Ambulance Cancer Research Excellent Development African Child Trust ACLT Children’s Ambulance African Child Trust Ageing Well in Lewisham Farm Africa Mampong Orphanage |
7,679 12,000 0 (4,321) 7,679 7,679 4,344 5,344 0 (1,000) 4,344 4,344 0 0 13,195 0 13,195 0 25,000 0 (6,868) 0 18,132 0 43,350 12,023 102,685 100,242 1,192 2,443 103,877 102,685 Total £ 165,340 unrestricted restricted total 2020 funds funds £ £ £ 143,753 143,753 12,166 12,166 7,789 7,789 19,683 18,113 37,796 (36,138) (36,138) |
|---|---|
| 147,253 18,113 165,366 |
|
| £ £ 2020 2019 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 200 2,500 2,700 |
12. SUMMARY OF GRANTS RECEIVED
| 12. SUMMARY OF GRANTS RECEIVED | |
|---|---|
| The PCC wishes to record its gratitude to the following generous donors: | £ |
| National Churches Trust (roof repairs) | 12,824 |
| Listed Places of Worship repair fund | |
| The Swire Trust (concrete repairs) | 5,261 |
| Rochester Bridge Trust (roof repairs) | 5,000 |
| Southwark Diocese (boiler survey) | 2,000 |
| London Borough of Lewisham (restart grant) | 1,605 |
| National Lottery Communities Fund (community grant) | 25,000 |
| 8,985 |