St Laurence Church Catford 37 Bromley Road London, SE6 2TS
Regd Charity: 1101092
**Annual Report and Accounts 2023**
**2023 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:
• Worship and prayer; learning about the gospel; developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus especially as expressed through the sacraments
- Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish
- 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 focus of the previous two years had been to continue to assist in the recovery from the challenge that Covid presented to both the church community and the wider community of Catford. 2023, by contrast, saw an increased confidence and better use of St Laurence’s facilities by congregation and community alike. By the end of the year, the congregation was back to an average Sunday attendance of 100, which, although less than the average 120–140 of the pre-Covid era, is a viable number. The Church Hall and Community Centre are also much better used, with every room in use every day of the week, and some at capacity. The church continues to make its hall and ancillary rooms available to local people (of every faith and none) as cheaply as possible, to allow for the growth of community locally. The facilities are used for public and private meetings, social events, training sessions, exercise classes, funeral wakes, blood donation, luncheon clubs, meetings of the local assembly, and Scouts, Cubs and Beavers
Four particular achievements stand out.
We continue to gain recognition for our environmental efforts, particularly in being chosen as the venue for the Mayor of London’s launch event for the expansion of the ULEZ zone in August. This recognition highlights the church’s commitment to becoming a zero-carbon building and its use of air source heat pumps.
We have had a number of successful fundraising events. The church organised various fundraising events throughout the year, including a Community Fair and a dinner and dance event that made the most money of any social event at St Laurence’s in many years. These successful events allowed the church to support charities such as Sense, St Christopher’s Hospice, and Lewisham Churches’ Care.
Third, despite the challenges posed by the conflict in the Holy Land, St Laurence’s managed to maintain interfaith dialogue and cooperation. The church along with local Jewish and Muslim leaders agreed on a joint statement calling for reconciliation and a just solution to the ongoing conflict.
Fourth, thanks to much hard work by Richard Swann, the parish manager, we entirely refurbished all the WC’s in the Church hall; this unglamorous but necessary task underlines our commitment to community building, allowing St Laurence’s to play a lead role in the local community by hosting concerts, social
gatherings, and many different types of event. Notable this year, as well as the use of the building for weekly rehearsals by Lewisham Choral Society, the largest in south-east London, were a concert by our local primary school, and two concerts by young people organised by Lewisham Youth Music, who take children from across the Borough, but especially from the large local authority estates in this part of the Borough.The church also engaged in various charitable activities, including providing support for older people through organizations like Ageing Well in Lewisham, the hugely popular Hummingbird Club for Caribbean elders, and Lewisham Elders’ Forum. The church’s facilities were used to benefit the diverse communities of Catford, demonstrating our commitment to serving the broader community beyond its regular parishioners.
## **Financial review**
We made a surplus, after gains on investments, of £102 in unrestricted funds. Voluntary income was considerably lower than the previous year, as there had been no need to apply for large grants. Giving by the congregation increased satisfactorily, despite the cost of living crisis that continued to affect many households. We contributed £71,000 towards Diocesan funds. The increased value of our investments was used to fund the work of renewing the toilets in the Church hall. Staff costs went up due to the increased number of lettings necessitating extra caretaking; also, there was a considerable increase in the London Living Wage, which we pay as a minimum to all staff.
## **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 around £150,000. 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 unrestricted reserves at the year end was £151,948 which is just above our target.
The balance of £12,023 in the fabric fund is retained towards meeting the upkeep of the Church Hall, Church and Flats, while the £13,439 restricted fund is money that has been given specifically to renew the church lighting. 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 the 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 Mrs Baker and Ms Mayne, 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 safeguarding officers, the readers and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. The Director of Music, Parish Accountant and Parish Manager are 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 75%. 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 2023 until the date this report was approved are: : _Ex officio members_
_Incumbent_ : The Reverend Canon Charles Pickstone (chairman)
_Clergy & readers_ : The Rev’d Olukayode Oyebode, Mrs Grace Blyth
_Wardens_ :
Mrs Joan Baker
Ms Marva Mayne (from April 2023) Ms Beverley Chin (to April 2023)
_PCC hon treasurer_
Ms Beverley Chin (from April 2023)
_Deanery Synod representatives_ :
Mrs Grace Blyth, Ms Florence Browne-Marke
_Elected members_ : Ms Corinne Browne-Marke (from April 2023); Ms Elaine Dixon; Ms Leanne HarveyThompson; Ms Lesley Ihekuna; Mrs Bylinda Lundie (to April 2023); Ms Marva Mayne (to April 2023); Mr Victor Obasogie; Mr Paul Omondiale; Ms. Alice Prince-Gilbert (from April 2023); Ms Bridgit Sam-Bailey; Ms Jennifer Thorne.
_Chair of Centre Management Committee_ : Mr Ray Williams
_Church Council Secretary_ : Ms Joyce Turpin
Approved by the PCC on 20th March 2024, 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 2023 which are set out on the subsequent pages, which show that expenditure exceeds income by £4,572. The net assets are valued at £329,781.
## **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:
- Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
- 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
- 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: 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements • to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
26th March, 2024 Gavin Ellis Accountant 34 London Road Hailsham East Sussex BN27 3BW
Parochial Church Council of St Laurence, Catford **Statement of Financial Position at 31 December 2023**
|Notes
**FIXED ASSETS**
Investments
5
Computer equipment
Boiler
**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
9
Designated funds
9
**Restricted**
8
Boiler reserve
8|**2023**
**2022**
£
£
108,061
95,925
1,207
2,415
186,589
196,410|
|---|---|
||295,858
294,749|
||25,696
57,695
5,500
12,570
49,780
15,989|
||80,976
86,254|
||47,052
46,651|
||33,924
39,603|
||329,781
334,353|
||139,925
131,170
12,023
12,023
13,439
18,113
164,394
173,047|
||329,781
334,353|
The notes on the succeeding pages form part of these accounts Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 20th March 2024 and signed on its behalf by
The Rev’d Canon Charles Pickstone (PCC Chair)
|Parochial Church Council of St Laurence, Catford
**Statement of Financial Activities**
**for the year ended 31 December 2023**
**Restricted funds**||**Total funds**|**2022**|£|238,083
64,348
2,941
168,008|473,380|306,114
862|306,977|**166,404**|(13,512)
(173,047)|**(20,155)**
354,508|**334,353**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Total funds**|**2023**|£|58,765
72,902
2,902
183,564|318,132|331,360
578|331,938|**(13,806)**|9,234
-|**(4,572)**
-
334,353|**329,781**|
||**Restricted funds**|**Other**|**2023**|£||-|4,674|4,674|**(4,674)**||**(4,674)**
18,113|**13,439**|
|||**Boiler**|**2023**|£||-||-|**-**||**-**
(8,652)
173,047|**164,395**|
|||**Unrestricted funds**|**2023**|£|58,765
72,902
2,902
183,564|318,132|326,686
578|327,264|**(9,132)**|9,234|**102**
8,652
143,193|**151,947**|
||||**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 GAINS /(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
5
BOILER RESERVE TRANSFERS
NET INCOME
Transfers
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) BEFORE
INVESTMENT GAINS AND LOSSES &
RESERVE TRANSFERS||||||||||
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2023**
## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LAURENCE, CATFORD
## **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**
These 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 the 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
Boilers, fixtures and fittings: 20 years
Computers: 3 years (starting from the first full year after purchase).
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)
Grants
Donations, appeals, etc
2(b)
**Activities for generating funds**
Fundraising
Rent–temporary let of clergy flats
2(c)
**Income from investments**
Dividends on CCLA Investment Fund|Unrestricted
funds
Restricted funds
**TOTAL 2023**
**TOTAL 2022**
£
£
£
£
31,618
31,618
30,783
9,784
9,784
8,355
7,298
7,298
7,819
7,626
7,626
6,939
(1,813)
(1,813)
174,889
2,725
1,527
4,252
9,299|
|---|---|
||59,050
(286)
58,765
238,083|
||6,968
6,968
2,848
65,934
65,934
61,500|
||72,902
-
72,902
64,348|
||2,902
2,902
2,941|
||2,902
-
2,902
2,941|
|2(d)
**Income from church activities**
Fees for weddings and funerals
Church Centre lettings-local community use
Other Income
**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
Bank charges
Director of music, organist, tuning
Caretaking
Events
3(b)
**Raising funds**
Costs of refreshments
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
**4. STAFF COSTS**
Wages & salaries
No. of permanent employees
Printing, postage & stationery|3,235
3,235
4,461
177,795
177,795
162,885
2,534
2,534
663|
|---|---|
||183,564
-
183,564
168,008|
||**318,418**
**(286)**
**318,132**
**473,380**|
||Unrestricted
funds
Restricted funds
**TOTAL 2023**
**TOTAL 2022**
£
£
£
£
3,167
3,167
1,183
71,000
71,000
70,000
2,469
2,469
2,347
132,997
132,997
113,203
29,440
29,440
29,090
3,626
3,626
3,106
1,409
1,409
1,555
19,882
19,882
17,888
65,036
65,036
52,197
1,286
1,048
2,334
15,545|
||330,312
1,048
331,360
306,114|
||578
578
862|
||578
-
578
862|
|||
||**330,890**
**1,048**
**331,938**
**306,977**|
||**2023**
**2022**
114,398
£
97,857
£
10
7|
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, a Finance Officer and a number of caretakers.
## **5. FIXED ASSETS**
|**Investments**
**2023**
**2022**
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)
36,811
36,811
Miss Hilda May Augusta Marsh & Miss Pansie Beatrice Edney bequests (1989)
3,180
5,648
39,991
42,459
These funds are principally invested in units of the CBF Church of England Investment Fund
Market value of 4,646.20 units at 01 January 2023 (2022:5,408.89)
95,925
126,496
Sale of 0 units during 2023 (2022:899.16)
-
(20,000)
Cost of 134.14 additional units purchased during 2023 (2022:136.47)
2,902
2,941
Increase/(Decrease) in Market Value during the year
9,234
(13,512)
Market value of 4780.34 units at 31 Dec 2023 (2022:4,646.20)
108,061
95,925
Units
Value (£)
Cost of additional units
34 Canadian Avenue
113.54
2,456
Marsh & Edney
20.60
446
134.14
2,902
Units at Dec 31st, 2023
34 Canadian Avenue
4,046.46
91,471
Marsh & Edney
733.88
16,590
4,780.34
108,061|**Investments**
**2023**
**2022**
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)
36,811
36,811
Miss Hilda May Augusta Marsh & Miss Pansie Beatrice Edney bequests (1989)
3,180
5,648
39,991
42,459
These funds are principally invested in units of the CBF Church of England Investment Fund
Market value of 4,646.20 units at 01 January 2023 (2022:5,408.89)
95,925
126,496
Sale of 0 units during 2023 (2022:899.16)
-
(20,000)
Cost of 134.14 additional units purchased during 2023 (2022:136.47)
2,902
2,941
Increase/(Decrease) in Market Value during the year
9,234
(13,512)
Market value of 4780.34 units at 31 Dec 2023 (2022:4,646.20)
108,061
95,925
Units
Value (£)
Cost of additional units
34 Canadian Avenue
113.54
2,456
Marsh & Edney
20.60
446
134.14
2,902
Units at Dec 31st, 2023
34 Canadian Avenue
4,046.46
91,471
Marsh & Edney
733.88
16,590
4,780.34
108,061|**2023**
**2022**
£
£
36,811
36,811
3,180
5,648|
|---|---|---|
|||39,991
42,459|
|||108,061
95,925|
||||
||134.14
2,902||
||4,046.46
91,471
733.88
16,590||
||4,780.34
108,061||
## **6. CURRENT ASSETS**
## **6(a) Debtors and prepayments**
|Prepayments
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 have evolved as follows:
Church Lighting Fund
Green Boiler Fund
**9. SUMMARY OF UNRESTRICTED FUND MOVEMENT**
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
Total designated funds
Unrestricted and undesignated funds
Balance 1 January|Balance
Donations
31/12/2022
2023
£
£
18,113
-
173,047
-|**2023**
**2022**
£
£
-
-
8,000
15,500
16,588
42,195
24,588
57,695
100
7,170
5,400
5,400
5,500
12,570
**2023**
**2022**
£
£
2,194
2,194
1,649
1,849
268
268
2,247
2,247
337
337
55
511
200
200
-
-
260
583
**7,211**
**8,189**
5,400
5,400
34,155
33,062
46,765
46,651
Expenditure
Transfer
**Balance**
2023
2023
**31/12/2023**
£
£
£
4,674
-
13,439
-
(8,652)
164,394
4,674
(8,652)
177,834
**2023**
**2022**
£
£
7,679
7,679
-
-
7,679
7,679
4,344
4,344
-
-
4,344
4,344
12,023
12,023
131,169
141,325|
|---|---|---|
||191,160
-||
||**S**||
|Surplus and transfers during the year||8,754
(10,156)|
|Balance 31 December
**Total reserves at 31st December 2023**||139,924
131,169
Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
**Total**
& undesignated
£
£
£
£
177,834
12,023
139,924
329,781|
|**ARY OF ASSETS BY FUND**
Investments & other fixed assets
Debtors & prepayments
Short term deposits
Cash at bank and in hand
less creditors due within one year
**TABLE DONATIONS**
London Hearts
Lewisham Refugee Migrant Network
Lewisham Churches Care
St Christopher's Hospice
Sense
Smile Train
Melqosh Mission
Friends of the Holy Land
A Rocher UK
Royal British Legion|unrestricted
restricted
**Total 2023**
**Total 2022**
funds
funds
£
£
£
£
131,463
164,394
295,858
294,749
25,696
-
25,696
57,695
5,500
-
5,500
12,570
36,341
13,439
49,780
15,989
(47,052)
-
(47,052)
(46,651)|
|---|---|
||151,948
177,834
329,781
334,353|
||**2023**
**2022**
£
£
752
431
500
500
500
500
500
500
125
42
3,167
1,183|
## **10. SUMMARY OF ASSETS BY FUND**
## **11. CHARITABLE DONATIONS**
## **12. SUMMARY OF GRANTS RECEIVED**
The PCC wishes to record its gratitude to the following generous donors:
||**2023**||**2022**|
|---|---|---|---|
||£||£|
|Kirby Laing Trust (eco boiler)|||5,000|
|London borough of Lewisham (eco boiler)|||20,000|
|Greater London Authority (eco boiler)|||50,000|
|Viridor (eco boiler)|||50,000|
|HLF (gyratory project)|||5,750|
|London borough of Lewisham (gyratory project)|||4,500|
|London Borough of Lewisham (restart grant)|||4,000|
|The SLCF and SDBF (school singing project)||925||
|London borough of Lewisham (The Big Help Out)||50||