2021-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St. Mary The Virgin, Stotfold

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St. Mary the Virgin, Stotfold

Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for the Year ended 31st December 2021

Administrative Information

St. Mary’s Church is situated off Church Road in Stotfold. It is part of the Diocese of St. Albans within the Church of England. The correspondence address is:

The Vicarage, 61 Church Road, Stotfold, Hitchin, SG5 4NE.

The PCC is a charity registered with the Charity Commission, No. 1131275

PCC members who served since the APCM in 2021 were:

The Incumbent Rev’d Bill Britt The Curate Rev’d Graham Clark The Reader Mrs. Andrea Charsley The Churchwardens Mrs. Jane Hyde Vice Chairman Mr. Steve Hardman Representatives on the Mrs. Andrea Charsley Deanery Synod. Mr. David Ribbans Elected Members Mrs. Alison Collis Secretary & Treasurer Mrs Jenny Conway Mr. Mark Draper Mrs. Lyn Hayes Mr. Paddy Harris Mrs. Maureen Winters Mrs. Ann Scarr Mrs Carolyn Bleach

Those asterisked* are members of the Standing Committee.

Service on the PCC is usually for three years at a time; with a break of at least one year after six consecutive years.

COMMITTEES

The PCC operates through a number of committees which make recommendations to the PCC.

Standing Committee

This is the only committee required by law. It has the power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the council.

Finance and Stewardship Committee

This committee has an overview of the general finances of the work of St. Mary’s by monitoring income and expenditure, budgeting and coordinating the Annual Review of the Christian Stewardship of money through planned giving.

Social and Fundraising Committee

Encourages fellowship within the family of the Church by organizing social events and the raising of money for the General Fund.

Hall Committee

Organizes the letting of the hall and is responsible for keeping the building in a good state of repair.

Building Committee

Oversees the repair and maintenance of the Church building and the churchyard in consultation with the Church Architect.

Charities

The Ecclesiastical Charity of William Field, No. 254218

The Vicar and churchwardens are trustees of the following charities:

The Eleemosynary Charity, No. 25419

The Roe’s Charity for the Parish Clerk’s House No. 217126

The Roe’s Almshouses Charity No. 217125 The Roe’s Education Charity No. 307485 H.O. Roe Charity, No. 1190706

St. Mary’s Church banks with Barclays PLC. It holds a portfolio of shares via CCLA relating to the Ecclesiastical Charity of William Field and two deposit

accounts with the same organization. It has an account with the Churches Mutual Credit Union and money held by the Diocese for the chancel.

The Independent examiner is Mr. Robert Logan

The church’s legal advisers are the Joint Diocesan Registrars, Matthew Chinery and Sarah Clemenson of Winckworth Sherwood.

The Church Architectural advisers are Barker Associates LLP.

Electoral Roll

During 2021 the Electoral Roll remained at 88, seven of whom live outside the parish.

Structure, Governance and Management

St. Mary’s PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, in promoting the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical within the ecclesiastical parish. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the Church building, the churchyard and the church hall.

Ministerial Team

Reverend Bill Britt is the Rector of St Mary’s the Virgin, Stotfold. The parish also benefits from the ministry of a curate, the Rev’d Graham Clark, a Priest Associate, Rev’d Jane Wheatley, a Reader, Mrs Andrea Charsley, who passed away on 30 November, and Mr. Steve Hardman, a Lay Leader of Worship.

Performance and achievements

The Covid 19 Pandemic continued in 2021 and St Mary’s Church was unusual in that it held physical services every Sunday and Wednesday during the year, following Covid-secure guidelines. Many churches in the St Albans Diocese remained closed for significant periods during 2021.

We reopened the church for private prayer on a daily basis from 28 June.

In April the government began lifting the restrictions on the sizes of weddings, Christenings and funerals. In 2021 there were 17 Baptisms, 7 weddings, 19

funerals and two memorial services for parishioners who died at the height of the pandemic.

A number of our activities which were suspended in 2020 due the pandemic were restarted: the Thursday morning baby and toddler group in September, Tea Time Praise, singing hymns in September, the monthly 8.00am Said Communion Service in October, the Community Coffee morning in October and the Christmas Tree Festival.

In 2019, the year before pandemic, our Usual Sunday Attendance (USA) was 52 Adults and 6 children. For the whole of 2021 our USA was 40 adults and 4 children. In the fourth quarter of 2021 USA attendance re-covered to 49 adults and 10 children. Our Easter Eve & Day attendance was 64, compared to 87 in 2019. Attendance at Advent services in 2021 for the congregation, community and schools totalled 530, compared to 55 in 2020 and 838 in 2019. Christmas Eve and Day in 2021 was 196 compared to 75 in 2020

Financial Review

Despite the loss of income from the Church Hall and fundraising events during the pandemic, the church ended the year with an operating surplus of £69. We have not had a surplus for some time. In recent years reserves covered operating deficits (an excess of expenditure over income) of £7,603 in 2020; £8,378 in 2019; £1,578 in 2018; £2,544 in 2017 and £8,554 in 2016.

Total giving on Sunday mornings (including the Parish Giving Scheme, cash collections in services and the envelope scheme and Gift Aid) was £31,475 compared to £26,924 in 2020, and £29,201 in 2019, prior to the pandemic. The 2020 balance in the unrestricted general fund was £24,053, compared to £18,206 at the end of 2020. There are Designated Funds of £76,900 in 2021, compared to £68,189 in 2020 and £52,390 in 2019. There are restricted funds of £3,991.

The 2020 Diocesan Parish Share for St Mary’s Church was £49,255, which largely provides the stipends, pension and housing for clergy and training of future ministers.

Reserves Policy

It is PCC policy to maintain a balance, if possible, on unrestricted funds that equates to approximately three months unrestricted payments to cover emergency situations which may arise from time to time.

The Designated Funds of £76,900 had two components, of which £51824 is retained towards meeting the cost of repairs and alterations to the church building together with the running costs of the building, and £25,076 for the Special Reserve Emergency Fund.

Monies held in Restricted Funds represents monies which have been given for specific purposes.

Approved at the PCC on 21 March 2022 Signed by PCC Chairman

Approved at the APCM on 15 May 2022 Signed by the APCM Chairman

Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Stotfold Balance Sheet at 31 December 2021

Note FIXED ASSETS Investment assets 4 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 6 Cash at bank and in hand LIABILITIES Current Liabilities 7 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL NET ASSETS FUNDS 5 Unrestricted Designated 9 Restricted 9 Endowment 9	2021 £ 896803 1949 105932 107881 2563 105318 1002121 24053 76900 3991 897177 1002121	2020 £ 783012 3278 92324
		95602
		4941
		90661

		873673
		18206 68189 4106 783172
		873673

The notes on pages 3 to 9 form part of these accounts.

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on and signed on its behalf by:

The Rev'd. Bill Britt Stephen Hardman Churchwarden

Registered Charity No. 1131275

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Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Stotfold Statement of Financial Activities For the year ending 31 December 2021

Unrestricted Funds £ 41130 11557 5135 27 48	Designated Funds £ 22545 120	Restricted Funds £ 8825 2847
57897	22665	11672
128 56544 1093 63	8705	100 10909
57828	8705	11009
69 5778	13960 -5000 -249	663 -778
5847 18206	8711 68189	-115 4106
24053	76900	3991

The notes on pages 3 to 9 form part of these accounts

2 of 9

Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Stotfold Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year end 31 December 2021

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared under the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the current Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2019).

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

Fund accounting

General funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted.

Restricted Funds are those funds that must be spent on specific restricted purposes as intended by the donors. Details of the funds held and restrictions are provided in note 8.

Endowment Funds, where the capital must be retained, are explained in note 8.

Incoming resources

Voluntary income and capital sources

Collections are recognized when received by or on behalf of the PCC. Planned giving receivable under Gift Aid is recognized only when received. Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognized when the income is recognized. Grants and legacies to the PCC are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt by the PCC is reasonably certain. Funds raised by the fete, garden party and similar events are accounted for gross.

Other income

Rental income from the letting of church premises is recognized when the rental is due.

Income from investments

Dividends are accounted for when due and payable. Interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue. Tax recoverable on such income is recognized in the same accounting year.

Gains and losses on investments

Realized gains or losses are recognized when investments are sold. Unrealized gains or losses are accounted for on revaluation of investments at market value at 31 December.

3 of 9

Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Stotfold Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year end 31 December 2021

Resources used

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC.

Activities directly relating to the work of the Church

The diocesan parish share is accounted for when paid. Any parish share unpaid at 31

December is provided for in these accounts as an operational (though not a legal) liability and is shown as a creditor in the Balance Sheet.

Fixed assets

Consecrated property and movable church furnishings

Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts in accordance with s.10(2)(a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011.

Movable church furnishings held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC, and which require a faculty for disposal, are accounted as inalienable property.

They are listed in the church's Inventory which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). Such assets are not valued in the accounts.

All expenditure incurred in the year on consecrated or benefice buildings or on the repair of movable church furnishings is written off.

Other fixtures, fittings and office equipment

Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight line basis over 4 years. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £1,500. or less are written off when the asset is acquired.

Investments

Investments are valued at market value at 31 December.

Current assets

Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectable.

Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CCLA Church of England Funds, Churches Mutual Credit Union or at the bank.

4 of 9

Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Stotfold Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year end 31 December 2021

2 INCOMING RESOURCES

£ 17216 2734 3721 6190 1614 3178 93 364 520 5500 Unrestricted Funds	£ Designated Funds	£ 2443 5239 1143 8825 0 0 0 1346 1501 Restricted Funds	£ Endowment Funds	£ £ 17216 15408 2734 2736 3721 4680 6190 3289 1614 811 2443 9311 8417 8799 93 130 364 144 1663 1389 5500 6000 TOTAL 2021 *TOTAL* *2020*
41130	0		0	49955 52697
4866 5236 1231 40 179 5				4866 3037 0 315 5236 2464 1231 1162 40 0 179 440 5 0
11557	0		0	11557 7418
5132 3				5132 3750 3 103
5135	0		0	5135 3853
27	22545		214	22786 22234
27	22545		214	22786 22234
48	120			120 1950 1346 1280 1501 0 48 48
48	120	2847	0	3015 3278
		11672
57897	22665		214	92448 89480

5 of 9

Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Stotfold Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year end 31 December 2021

3 RESOURCES EXPENDED

£ 128 Unrestricted Funds	£ Designated Funds	£ 100 100 1501 801 1722 4458 1801 626 10909 0 0 0 Restricted Funds	£ Endowment Funds	£ £ 228 90 *TOTAL* *2020* TOTAL 2021
128	0		0	228 90
49255 770 8 223 98 3090 133 680 856 970 461	4899 3330 476			49255 49255 770 1627 1509 71 4899 5104 4131 7100 2198 0 4458 0 223 731 0 7298 98 0 1801 2501 3090 3155 133 0 680 670 1482 2300 970 316 461 869
56544	8705		0	76158 80997
298 455 340				298 371 455 350 340 45
1093	0		0	1093 766
63				63 52
63	0		0	63 52
				0 652 0 461
0	0		0	0 1113

57828	8705	11009	0	77542 83018

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Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Stotfold Notes to the Financial Statements For the year end 31 December 2021

£ 4 FIXED ASSETS Investments Movements in the year: Market value - 1 January 2021 783012 Annual revaluation 113791 Market value - 31 December 2021 896803 Endowment Funds £ £ £ 5 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND Investment Fixed Assets Current Assets 25826 77690 3991 Current Liabilities 1773 790 Fund balance 24053 76900 3991 6 DEBTORS Income tax recoverable Prepayments Other debtors 7 LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Creditors for goods and services Accruals 8 TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS Keyboard Restricted Fund not used. Transfer to General Fund as per Donor Chancel Fund withdrawal towards cost of Chancel Heating Transferred from Designated Account. Authorised by PCC Transfer from Restricted Fund for Altar Frontal & Vestment as per Donor Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Designated Funds	£ 896803 374 Endowment Funds	£ 896803 107881 2563 1002121 2021 2020 £ £ 1439 1283 178 174 332 1821 TOTAL 2021
	897177

		1949 3278
		2021 2020 £ £ 2069 4551 494 390
		2563 4941
		2021 2020 £ £ 0 315 0 1789 5000 0 778 0
		5778 2104

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Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Stotfold Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year end 31 December 2021

9 FUND DETAILS Churchyard fund Youth Trip Grant Toddler Group Albs Bike 'n Hike Banner Flower Fund Academy Crosses Families in Need The Designated Funds at the year end are: Income from William Field Charity for Building Special Reserve Emergency Fund The Endowment Funds at the year end are: Chancel Fund for the repairs and insurance of the Chancel. Ecclesiastical Charity of William Field The Restricted Funds at the year end are:	2021 2020 £ £ 2842 3297 350 350 1 1 40 40 503 243 13 13 122 162 60 0 60 0
	3991 4106
	51824 43113 25076 25076
	76900 68189
	8431 7521 888372 775651
	896803 783172

The Parochial Church Council is the managing trustee of the Ecclesiastical Charity of William Field and therefore, as the Charity is under the control of the Parochial Church Council, the funds of the charity must be shown on the Balance Sheet as an Endowment Fund. The Church cannot use the capital of the charity only advise on investment.

The market value of the capital of the trust of £888372 is included in Fixed Asset Investments . However, the income of the Charity is applied to the Church. The Parochial Church Council decided that the income should only be used for the church building, church building running costs and maintenance and therefore the income from the Charity has become a Designated Fund.

10 COLLECTIONS FOR GOOD CAUSES

Collections for Good Causes have been excluded from the Accounts as recommended by Church Accounting Regulations 2006.

Charitable Collections were as follows:

Need Project Children's Society Marie Curie Garden House Hospice Tear Fund	£ 314 254 131 125 364
	1188

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Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of St Mary’s Church, Stotfold, Parochial Church Council.

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 which are set out on pages 1 to 8.

Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the independent examiner

As trustees of the charity, the members of the PCC are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They 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 required.

It is my responsibility to

examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners section 145 (5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement

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 the management committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.

Independent Examiner's Statement

In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention:

which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
to keep accounting records in accordance with s. 130 of the 2011 Act; or
to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been met; or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

………………………………

Robert Logan 42 Ryders Hill Stevenage SG1 6BJ

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Independent Examlnerfs Report to the trustees of St Marvs Church, Stottold. Parochlal Church Council. I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 which are set out on pages 1 to 8. Respectlve re8ponslbSlltles of the Trustees and the independent examlner As trustees of the charity, the members of the PCC are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They 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 required. It is my responsibility to ' examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act: . follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions glven by the Charity Commissioners sectlon 145 {5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and . state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Bas18 of Independent ExamlneV$ Statement My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission . An examlnatlon Includes a reiriew of the accountlng records kept by the charity and a comparlson of the accounts presented with those records.11 also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the management committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. Independent Examlnerfs Statement In connection wth my examination, no matters have come to my attenlion.. which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with s. 130 of the 2011 Act; or to prepa accounts which accA)rd with these accounting records have not been met; or 2. to which, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts to be reached. Robert Logan 42 Ryders Hill Stevenage SG16BJ 9of9