St. Mary the Virgin, Stotfold Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for the Year ended 31st December 2022 ## 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 2022 were: The Incumbent Rev Bill Britt* Associate Minister with special responsibility as chaplain to schools Rev Graham Clark The Churchwardens Mrs. Jenny Bennett * (Vice Chairperson) Mr. Steve Hardman * Representatives on the Deanery Synod. Mrs. Alison Collis* (Secretary & Treasurer) Mr. David Ribbans Elected Members Mr. Derek Blyth Mrs Sara Clark Mrs. Jenny Conway Mrs. Daphne Hardman Mrs. Lyn Hayes Mr. Paddy Harris Mrs. Jane Hyde 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 Sue Matejtschuk of SCM Accountancy Services. 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 2022 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** Rev Bill Britt is the Rector of St Mary’s the Virgin, Stotfold. Rev Graham Clark is licensed to the parish as Associate Minister with special responsibility as chaplain to schools. This is a locally-funded post. Rev Jane Wheatley is a Priest Associate and Mr. Steve Hardman is a Lay Leader of Worship. ## **Performance and achievements** The Government lifted most Covid 19 Pandemic restrictions in March 2022 and Church life began to return to normal and attendance recovered. Our Usual Sunday Attendance (USA), excluding Christmas and Easter, returned to the same numbers as before the pandemic, with 52 adults and five children. Our Easter Eve & Day attendance in 2022 was 100, compared to 87 in 2019. Attendance at Advent services in 2022 for the congregation, community and schools totalled 354. Christmas Eve and Day services in 2022 was 332 compared to 367 in 2019. During 2022 we held 16 Christenings, 3 weddings and 24 funerals. Five people were confirmed during 2022. In a major development for the parish, Rev Graham Clark, our former curate, was licensed in April 2022 to the Benefice of Stotfold with Radwell as Assistant Minister, with special responsibility as chaplain to schools. This is a locally- funded post. In addition to all our existing activities, Rev Bill and Rev Graham began a monthly youth gathering at the Vicarage, which has been well received. ## **Financial Review** We had a strong financial results for the second year running, with an operating deficit of a mere £669 in 2022. The previous year ended with an operating surplus of £69. In earlier 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 gtving on Sunday morninES (Indudingthe Parish GI￿nE 5theme, cash eollections in Servi￿ and the envelope scheme and Gift Aidl vfas £33.929 in 2022. compared to £31,475 in 2021, and £29,201 in 2019. Priortothe p￿deMA& The 2022 balaft￿ in the unrestricted geneTal fund was £23.384, compared to £24.053 at the end of 2021. There are Designated Funds of £65.032 in 2022. compared to E76,900 in 2021 and £52,390 in 2019. There are restr1*￿ funds of £4,387. The 2022 Diocesan Parish Share for St Marfs Churd) was £49,875. whtch largely provides the stipends. pension and housing for dergy and training of future minister Reswve5 PoliLy It is PCC policyto maintain a balance, rf posslble, on unrestrrcted funds that equate5 to approximately three months unr￿[cted payments to Cover emergency situations which may arise from time to time. The Designated Funds of £65,032 had two components, of which £39,931 15 built up in interest from the William Field Charity and retsined towards meetingthe cost of repairs and alterations to the thurth buildingtogether with the running costs of the buildin& and £25.101 forthe Spec2al Reserve Emergency Fund. Monies held in Restricted Funds represents monies which have been given for spectfic purposes. Approved at the PCC on 27 Marth 2023 Signed by PCC Chairman J (?•- Approved at the APCM on 21 May 2023 Signed by the APCM Chairnian Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Stotfold Balance Sheet at 31 December 2022 2022 2021 FIXED ASSETS Investment assets 791,234 896.803 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 2.200 1,949 Cash at bank and in hand 119.612 121812 105,932 107 881 LIABILITIE8 Current Liabilit*s NET CURRENT ASSETS 93.415 105.318 TOTAL NET AS8ETS 884,649 1.002,121 FUNDS Unrestricted 23.384 24,053 Oesignatsd 65.032 76,900 Restrthd 4.397 3,991 Endowmenl 791,836 897,177 1002 121 The notes on pages 3 to 9 fomi part of these accounts. Approved by the Parochial Church Counol on and syned on rts behalf by.. The Rev'd Bill Britt Stephen Hardman Chur¢hwarden Registered CharAy No. 1131275 1019 Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Wirgin, Stotfold Statement of Financlal Activities For the year ending 31 December 2022 /////// /' fy, INCOMIIIG RESQURces Vduntarylne4)m• lThxmo frc*n Churth •(*¥iMB IncomD fiom 2a 36. 2b 18.e82 2¢ 8.207 2d 102 24,220 45.928 19,041 8,207 24,$50 49,955 11,567 5.135 22,786 379 228 OLh•r TOTAL IIICQMINa RE8OURCES 24 564 228 102 228 RegouRCÈ8 EXPEPUD chaiknb￿ ChU￿h 70 3b 63.024 1,765 371 3• 25.010 228 76.158 1.093 63 11.432 11,487 85,923 1,76S 371 TOTAL RE¥OURCE8 EXPEIIDED 114 129 77 542 NET INCOMWGIK4JT(30114GI AESWACES -25,869 13.132 228 -11.￿3 14.906 TRNJ45FERS 8ETWEEN FUNDS- 25,fXK) -25,CK ADJUSTMENT r• PREvI￿s YEARS -249 GAINS AND LOSSESON INVESTIAENTS -105.869 -105,569 113,791 NET MOVEMEfiT IN FUNDS -11. 4c6 -105.341 -117.472 128,H8 AL4NCES BR¢)UOHT FORWAADAT 1 J•nwry 2022 24.053 76.￿) 3,991 897,ITT 1,Lh)2.121 873,873 BALANCES CARRIED FORWARDAT 31 2022 4397 7918 884 649 1 CQ2 121 Th•tw•• on pw 3to g fm •coJ•iii 2019 Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Stotfold Notes to the Financial Statements For the year end 31 December 2022 1 A¢¢OUNnNG POUCIES Bash of financlal 8tatsfflonts. Th8 fn8nci81 Slatem￿ts have pf8pargd Ihe Chufth ALxounl Rogu￿￿jns 2006 in accordance wlh oM)Itabkn acwJThtir¥J staTrJ8rd$ and the currwt Slat•menl ol Recommended PractK• ACC￿nkng and Repth"NJ by Charl￿5 ISORP 20191. The finan081 stateTrnnt3 have been prepared uTrJer th8 M51orKal convenbon exe•pl for inv851rn8nl as80ts. whKh •r• Sho￿ at morkgl financiwl 8tstemgnls ￿(4￿J? 81 trAns8ction¥. 9¥8ets and Ik9ts"h"IN)$ PCC K* f•SF4)nst* ￿ ￿. Tlw do nol inelude the 8CCQUTht6 01 gfOUP Ihal Ihw"r affiknbon to •notrw body, r th9￿ th81 are inforn￿l galh•n"wJs ofchurth Fund ¥ccourrtlno Gemrnl lund• r•pr•a•nt th• f￿J* of1￿ PCC thal ar• not •ityct to any l•ltridm rn3ardiThJ Ih•ir u8• And Are avBlobkn lor •pp#￿t￿)n on th• gwwrol WrP)e￿ of the PCC. FurKI• d•8*drtal#d for 8 porti￿￿￿ PU￿0￿ ty tho PCC •r• unrwirthj. Rutnct•d Funds ar• tho•• furth that m￿1 bo wi on •PK* r•8trthd wp¢M•8 u int•rtr*J by the doncn. D•tail8 01 the fund$ held 0Th1 rnotrthJn8 8r• w0¥¥￿d in 9. Endowrronl Fund8. th• must b• r•taw)•d, •r• •y$4•Y•J 9 Incon￿rt9 M•ourc•• Voluntsry In£¢)fflo •nd ¢•prt•l •our¢•• Cd*¢lon• •re rnc¢gno•d wh•n by ￿ ¢)n bohal ol the PCC P￿ftft8d ap￿ng r•c•ivabl• un(l&r Grft rKcynued whan Income tax r•cth*rSb￿ on GrfIAbJ li r8cognvLed ￿en th• incom• recognlz•a. Grants 4Th1 *gac•• to PCC ac0￿nI￿a for a$ $oon as tho PCC M notffkryd ol Ils *81 enbtkn*nL Iho •mount 18 qu8nbfioblg ¥nd rt• ullimaie mc•pt ty the PCC H reason8bty c•rtoin. FuTrJs by thg 19*. 9•rd•n p•rty ATrJ 8imi1of o￿nI0 are accountsd lor9ros5 Oth•r In¢om• R•nt81 Irv)￿ from tm ￿lting ol churth v4 rwni2•d T*then tt* rent•l ty due. In¢om• from Invg•trn•nts DwKlends ar• Aeojunled for wh•n a￿1 p8y8bkn Interest enbtknwnts gro ac£ounted lor 0$ they aecnje Tax recoverabb on in¢x*rn * rec03n￿ed In the Mrne accounkng year G8ln• •nd lo•••• <>n In¥•*lm•nts Real'zed g8ins Qr losses are rec4nrL•J when inv0skn8nts a￿ SL*J. Unr8alized bJstes am Accounted for on reva￿81￿ ol iTh¥e5thwAts ai marketV•1￿ ai 31 D￿l￿r. 3of9 Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Stotfold Notes to the Financial Statements For the year end 31 December 2022 R••our¢M u••d Grnnts and donallon• Gronts anol don1￿8 •r• 8co)unityJ for p•wJ 0￿. crf aworded. rf Ihat •w•rd cre*t•• a biThJlng ok4b3atb)rb on ￿ PCC. ActE¥ltle• dlr•¢ty Y•l•tlng to th• work ofth• Churth The dloc•son p8ll8h Shgrn • acc•Jntod ￿K1. Any •h¥R unpohl •t 31 D•t8mb8r1s provKl•d lor In theM ?￿nIS a8 •n i)p•ratsonal Ithotyh nol a *allIo￿"1￿Y aThJ' 8hwn a8 a cred4￿ in th• BaLgI￿ S Flx•d aswts Con••crnl•d prop•rty and movlblo Ch¥￿h htmhhlng• Con8ec¥al•d and b•fi8fic• WOFety * Mt x¢yJunl• wi •cctydarK￿ 8.10(211•14th1 lel 01 th• Charit￿ Ad 2011 Movoblg church furntshiNJi by aThJ ChurdwArd8n8 w 8F4cio1 In•t for the PCC, and whKh requir• a faculty for disp￿11. •r• aecounlud Bs Inal￿nOt4? property Th•y ar• I￿l￿d In chur¢hJ In￿lIOry whKh carb b• any r•uoMbl• 'rnel Suth 486et8 ar• Mt valwj in the •ccounl8 All •xpondttur• incurred in ￿•r on emryalxl w b•rth or on th• r4>•w ol mo¥¥ble thurch fuml•hry8 *Trtt•n off Oth•r flxtyr••. 1StUng• and offk• •qulwMnt Equlpmgnl wllhin lh• church F￿•m1￿* 48 d•pr￿1*y OTh B strawJht ITh bm 4 y••r• Ind4vidu•l it•m8 01 oquipment wlh ¥ purcha8• pric• ol £S,CO) or or• vmtt•A off when th Inv••tsn•nts InvtstrnBnts ate Valwd at math•t VAlug ¥131 Ooc•rt*f. Currgnt a•••fy Amounts owirvJ to th• PCC #131 C*cwbof r•bp•ct ol 1898. tenls ￿1)t￿r arn 81Th 0$ debtorn provpsh?n for omounts that may uncol•ci*4. short.tern d8posih indud• tash heh1 th• CCLA Church of ETrJlwTrJ Furth. Church88 Mutual Credl Unb)n or at the bank. 4ot9 Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Stotfold Notes to the Financial Statements For the vear end 31 December 2022 2 INCOMING RE8OURCES / l // 2• Voluntary Incomo Planned giving Gift Aid giving Other planned giving Incoma tsx recoverabl& Collections lopen Flalel at all servic*s Incom8 tsx recoveratjle Grants DonatM)ns Donations Wall safe Votive Candlesland In￿m& r8c>)verable Lega 17.944 17,944 17.216 2,866 2.734 4,619 3,721 6,755 6,190 1.745 1,614 4.421 2,443 4.619 0.755 1.745 4.421 2.179 120 553 217 3.981 8,160 120 553 745 8.417 93 528 1.883 45.928 49 955 2b In¢om• from Church acllvl¢l•• Church hall l&th"ng8 Wedding and funeral fe8$ Weddin9 Fl¢ywers Magazine Incom8 Tax ReC￿rable Outreach Incom& Tax Recoverable 13,141 3,812 75 895 13,141 3,812 75 1.254 70 5,236 359 1.231 40 179 379 19,041 11.557 2¢ Incom• from icllv5tle• to g•n•r•t• fund• Social & lundrai8lrvJ even18 betre expense8 Incoma Tax Recovorable 8.199 8,199 5,132 8.207 8.207 2d Income from In¥••lments Dividends inlg19s1 102 24.220 102 24,220 228 228 24,550 22,768 24,550 22.7B6 2• Oth•r Incomlng mour Listed Places Gr8nl Stheme VAT repayment Con1d￿J110n towards churchyard costs Contribution lowards Curate expen8es Assistant vI￿r gift Income Tax recoverable Bank Loyalty rewards Sundry Income 120 1.425 1.139 820 170 1.425 1.642 820 170 1,501 33 33 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 64.571 24.564 12.863 228 102.226 92,448 5of9 Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Stotfold Notes to the Financial Statements For the year end 31 December 2022 3 RESOURCES EXPENDED 3• Charltable Givlng Donations 70 70 70 70 228 228 3b Church actlvltl•J Minislry.'Diocesan p8d8h share Clergy expenses As8islanl Vicar EX￿n$?5 Conlribulion lo Assistanl Vicar Church running expenses Church rnainlenance & ien6vAIB Incumbents Board Hyrnnal Altar Front81, Vestm8n¢8 and Hanging$ Christmas Lights Children$, aCts'v1￿as Youth Work Church yaid Church h811 runnlng cost$ Bapllsm and confinnatlon o)8ts Organist fegs Servlce expens98 Magaane co818 Outreach W8dding Flowers 49,875 1.176 49,875 49,255 1.176 770 1.139 1.139 7.087 3,946 2.537 7.087 6.483 4,899 4,131 2,198 3.632 4,031 4.458 223 87 276 2.807 12S 276 2.807 8.256 52 470 1,873 1,505 1,751 75 85,923 76 158 1,801 6.131 52 470 1.314 1,126 1,738 75 63.024 11432 11.467 133 1,482 970 379 13 3¢ ch￿￿h manag•m•nt •nd admlnS•tr•don Admini$lralion'. Printing and stalth)ery 88nk charges Pur¢h88e ol printer Sundry Expen8es 642 842 298 455 173 173 340 3d Fundrnl¥lng costs Social and Fundraising even18 371 371 371 371 63 83 3• Oth•r Ex￿ndItur• Gift lo Assistanl Vi¢ar Grant to Ro& Charily for refuthshment ol Roecroft Centre 10 25,C 25,010 25.C( 26,CO) TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 90,240 11.432 12.457 114.129 77.542 6of9 Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Stotfold Notes to the Financial Statements For the year end 31 December 2022 4 FIXED ASSETS In￿#¢Ments Movements in Ihe year. Market valug- 1 January 2022 Annual revaluats'on Market value- 31 December 2022 896.803 .105,569 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND Investment Fixed A88et8 Current Assets CUr￿n1 Liabilrties Fund b•l•nce 791.234 791.234 121,812 28.397 4.397 791,836 884 649 50.475 06.338 27.091 1,3C6 23 384 65 032 4.397 DEBTORS 2022 2021 Income tax recoverable Prepgym&n18 Other debtor8 1,347 1,439 178 332 872 LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN OIIE YEAR 2022 2021 Creditors Accruals and Def&rred Inct*m 28.047 350 28,397 2,C69 8 TRANSFERS 8ETWEEN FUNDS 2022 2021 Tran8ferred Irom De8vJnaled Account. AUth￿l￿ed by PCC Transfer from Restrioled Fund fe(AAar Frontal 8 Vestmenl as p9r 25,¢￿ 5,OLXI 778 7of9 Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Stotfold Notes to the Financial Statements For the vear end 31 December 2022 FUND DETAILS 2022 2021 The Restricted Funds at the year end are". Churchyard fijnd Youth Woth Grant Light and Heat Grant Albs Bike'n Hlke Banner Fk)wer Fund Sl Marys Academy Those in Need 2,842 350 324 1.279 13 122 370 The De8ignat811 Funds ai th8 year end we.. Income Irom William Field Charity for Building Special Reserve Emergery Fund 39.931 51.824 25.101 25,076 15 032 76 900 The Endowmènt Funds al the year end a Chaneel Fund lor the iepairs and insurarth ol ts Chancd. E(£1￿laStIcal Charfty of William Fidd 8.040 8,431 783,796 888,372 791836 896 803 The Parochial Church CouncAI Is thg managing trust89 of the Ect486￿tICaI Chanty of William F￿ld and therefore, a$ Ihe Charity 18 und81 Ihe conirol of the Pgrrythi81 Chu(ch Counc41. the funds ol the charity must be $h¢y*n on Ihe Balance Sh￿1 as an Endthwnonl Fund. The Church connol ustr Ihe capital of t￿ tharily onty advlse on invèstment. Thfj markel value of Ihe ¢apitsl of th8 twst of £783.￿ is indude(I In Flx•d A•••t Inve•tm•nt•. However,*ll tha In￿Me of Ihe Charity is applied to the Chufch. The Parochial Church Coundl d￿lde