REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1131322
Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 for
Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 to 7 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 8 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 9 |
| Balance Sheet | 10 |
| Notes to the Finacial Statements | 11 to 20 |
Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
St Stephen’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, Revd Becky Leach, (from June 2024 in vacancy), 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 the sister church of St Julian’s and the parish centre attached to St Stephen’s Church.
The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of the parish community. In our Mission Action Plan (MAP), it states that:
"We hope to provide all people with ways to worship and encounter God. Keeping the best of the tradition in which we stand, we want to re-imagine and enliven our worship of God together. We are beginning to expand our variety of worship."
"We want to continue building our different congregations and outreach groups, both individually and together, so that they grow and deepen into close fellowships of prayer, faith and support. We aim to make new disciples, reach out to others in loving service and, in the process, grow more vibrant and diverse as a community."
"We seek to continue to work to address the climate crisis, becoming wiser stewards of creation and achieving the Gold Eco Church Award."
The PCC recognises that in order to facilitate this work, it is important that the fabric of the churches of St Stephen and St Julian and the parish centre is maintained.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
PCC is keen to offer a range of services during the week and over the course of the year that is both beneficial and spiritual.
The worship of God is at the heart of our life as a Church community. Both churches are in the mainstream Anglican liturgical tradition, observing festivals and saints’ days. Our main Sunday service is a Common Worship Eucharist in contemporary language - usually in both churches and always in one of them. On one Sunday each month, the service at St Stephen’s is All-Age, and several times a year this has a Café Church format, a new and successful initiative, held in the Church Hall. In all our services, the congregation is fully involved, whether in setting up for the service, welcoming at the door, doing Bible readings, leading intercessions, or acting as servers or Chalice Assistants. Weekday services take place most days.
There are 178 parishioners on the church electoral roll and there are more who come for festivals and at Christmas. Baptisms, weddings, funerals and memorial services are also held.
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Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Deanery Synod
Three members of the PCC attend meetings of the Deanery Synod and provide an important link between the parish and the wider structure of the Diocese, committed to the Diocesan Vision of Living God’s Love .
The Parish Centre
Both Churches have halls which, in addition to parish use, are available for hire and well used by regular groups e.g. Guides, Keep Fit, Karate and a community choir. One-off events are also held such as birthday parties. This provides a valuable source of income and makes the church known in the local area. The kitchen at St Stephen’s has maintained its 5-star rating for hygiene.
Pastoral Care and Safeguarding
Together with the ministry team, the Pastoral Team supports the congregation by offering spiritual, emotional and practical support in the parish. It plays an important role in welcoming newcomers and visitors and introducing them to appropriate church groups and members.
A key aspect of their work is visiting church members who are unable to attend services in person through illness, whether at home or in hospital or hospice. The team also visits parishioners who might be isolated at home for a variety of reasons including being a full-time carer. There is also a Home Communion Team, which takes Holy Communion to those unable to attend church.
Safeguarding
We believe that safeguarding should underpin everything that we do – our worship, the running of the church, and all our activities and relationships. We recognise that everyone has different levels of vulnerability, and safeguarding is an integral feature of Christian life in our church. We comply fully with Diocesan guidelines and instructions.
Risk assessments are carried out for all church activities involving children or vulnerable adults, and hire agreements for our halls include a statement setting out the required safeguarding provision.
Mission and evangelism
Children and families: are hugely valued and integral to the life of our church. A Children & Families Lay Leader has recently been engaged for 5 hours per week to support this important ministry. A leaflet is produced twice a year detailing all events and services.
Tots & Teddies: for young children and their parents/carers which takes place every Wednesday morning at St Julian’s Church. It begins with a short, informal service including songs and Bible stories and this is followed by craft activities, play and refreshments.
Saturday@5: monthly event for the whole family which takes place in St Stephen’s Church Hall for 90 minutes of themed craft, messy play, Bible stories, and a light tea.
Sunday Explorers: meets on the first Sunday of the month for Bible stories and craft in St Stephen’s Church Hall during the main service for children aged 5-12 years. For younger children, there is a Children’s Corner at the back of the church with toys, books and colouring.
All-age Worship: All-age services take place on the last Sunday of the month, and children are encouraged to get involved as much as possible e.g.by doing a reading, welcoming people.
Pudding Club: This is a termly sociable group for parents to get to know each other better and discuss issues of faith and parenting over pudding and a glass of wine.
We also run drop-in events for children and families on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and All Hallows’ Eve comprising a short liturgy, craft activity and refreshments.
Bible Study: There is a weekly Bible Study group which meets fortnightly in a member’s home.
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Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Social Groups: several social groups provide regular activities for older members of our Parish communities. These include:
The Lunch Club, which meets every Tuesday in term time, provides a two-course hot meal to about 45 elderly people as well as providing friendship.
Coffee Morning: this is held every Wednesday morning at St Stephen’s following the morning Holy Communion service.
Community Café Coffee and Cake: this is a drop-in held at St Julian’s Hall on Thursday mornings, served in a relaxed atmosphere with homemade cake.
Community Shed: this is a space to engage in craft activities, to interact with others and to help relieve isolation and loneliness, held in St Stephens Hall every Friday.
Walking Group: monthly walk of a few miles in the local area around St Albans.
Men’s Breakfast: this group meets periodically for a Saturday breakfast and lively discussion on issues of the day.
Giving: Each year, 10% of what is given to our two churches is allocated to charitable causes. These allocations, in excess of £7,000 per annum, are proposed by a committee at each church for approval by the PCC. They go to a varied mix of local, national and international charities.
Schools: We forge positive links with local schools - two Primary, one Secondary and one Special School, and St Stephen’s is used to help deliver the RE and History curriculum, as well as hosting Christmas and Harvest services.
Ecumenical relationships
St Stephen’s and St Julian’s work closely with St Bartholomew’s Roman Catholic Church and Greenwood United Reformed Church. Advent and Lent groups are organised jointly, and a Walk of Witness takes place on Good Friday. ‘Churches Together in St Albans’ links all the churches across the city. A mosque has recently opened opposite St Julian’s, and we offer worshippers the use of our car park during Friday Prayers.
There are developing relationships with the other St Albans Pilgrim Churches (St Michael’s and St Peter’s) and we enjoy close links with the Cathedral.
Volunteers
Very many parishioners give their time and talents to support and further the work of both churches, as members of committees or groups, regularly or on an occasional basis. Fundraising activities are organised regularly through the year, providing much needed funds but also opportunities to meet socially. Examples are: the Christmas Fayre, Jumble Sale, Desert Island Discs, a Games evening, etc.
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Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The total income for the charity in 2024 was £226,903 (2023: £349,332) while expenses came to £291,700 (2023: £263,654), a net deficit of £64,797 in the year (2023: £85,678 net surplus).
Unrestricted income (which the charity is free to spend as they see fit) was £213,650 (2023: 210,083), including income designated for the community café and St. Julian. Unrestricted expenses came to £256,945 (2023: £214,415) – a deficit of £43,296 (2023: £4,333). The unrestricted expenditure included £51,489 (2023: £8,443) for church/hall/building works.
See notes 2 and 3 of the financial statements for the breakdown of income and expenses.
Overall, unrestricted income rose by approximately £4,000 from 2023. This is mainly due to increased rent at Tavistock Ave. Unrestricted expenditure increased by approximately £43,000 from 2023, mainly due to church expenses. This is despite getting a reduction in the Parish Share during the vacancy. St Stephen's Church also contributed £18,010 towards the new windows at St Julian’s Church.
There was no significant restricted income this year with expenditure of £31,347 (2023: £43,461) on major repairs.
The net current assets at the year end were £411,576 (2023: £476,373) of which £190,447 (2023: £218,556) are unrestricted reserves.
The 4 new bank accounts with CAF Bank are now actively being used. The Barclays account has been closed.
Thanks are due to those who help with the administration of the parish finances: Hamish Hamilton, the assistant treasurer, Andy Sharp, the St. Julian’s treasurer, Lynda Rigg for managing the fees, Carol Hadden and Mary Willatt who look after the Flower Guild and Luncheon Club funds, Hamish and Mary for doing the counting week by week, and Alison Pether who administers fees and records income, along with the Hall invoices.
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Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Reserves policy
By law, a charity is not allowed to hoard funds. The PCC has to justify the reserves that it holds.
In this context, Reserves are the current assets less the restricted funds: i.e. those funds readily available for any eventuality. We are required to state a minimum that it is prudent to hold and a maximum that we can justify.
1. Minimum Reserve
Any problems with cash flow may not be identified immediately as income and expenditure fluctuate from month to month. It is considered prudent to ensure that reserves are greater than six months' expenditure to allow three months to identify a problem and another three months for action to show results.
2. Maximum Reserve
Expenditure on exceptional items or Quinquennial items during the five years between inspections could credibly reach £100,000. The most that we can justifiably hold in excess of the miminum reserve would be this plus any planned projects.
3. 2024 and 2023
These policies become:
| a) Half of 2024 and 2023 expenditure Minimum Reserve b) Possible projects: Organ Refurbishment St.Stephen's Tree removal/path repair St. Julian's Vestry St. Stephens Projection Equipment St Julian's Windows St. Stephens Boundary Wall St. Stephens Pulpit Repair Total The maximum reserve for 2024 and 2023 are therefore Exceptional/Quinquennial Other Total |
2024 2023 128,096 106,292 Say £130,000 Say £100,000 100,000 100,000 20,000 20,000 5,000 5,000 25,000 25,000 - 35,000 20,000 20,000 7,000 7,000 177,000 £ 212,000 £ 130,000 £ 100,000 £ 100,000 £ 100,000 £ 177,000 £ 212,000 £ 407,000 £ 412,000 £ |
|---|---|
These limits can be breached - it is merely that the PCC feel it is prudent to attempt to keep the reserves above the minimum and below the maximum.
At the end of 2024, the reserves were £190,447 (2023: 218,556).
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Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitues an unincorporated charity.
Our Patron is Simon Waddell-Dudley, who attends often and supports many church activities.
The ministerial team is led by the Vicar, supported by two Self-Supporting Ministers and a Reader. Two active retired priests and a retired bishop also live in the parish and support its ministry. There are two Lay Leaders of Worship and four Enablers who each have responsibility for Pastoral Care, the Environment and Worship.
Our recently employed part-time Children and Families Lay Leader co-ordinates all aspects of the work with children.
The appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules.
The PCC meets in alternate months six times a year and the Standing Committee meets between PCC meetings. Most of the work of the PCC is carried out by committees and sub-groups (Buildings, Social and Fund Raising, Charities, Pastoral Care, Communications, Environment) which report back to the PCC. The PCC Secretary manages all the PCC’s administrative and secretarial matters.
The St Julian’s District Church Council (DCC) has delegated authority to deal with matters that affect St Julian’s. It meets every six weeks, with its own elected secretary. The arrangements for this and other aspects of parish administration are set out in the Parish Constitution.
The Church employs an Administrator who works closely with the ministerial team, acts as the first point of contact for all general enquiries and has a wide range of responsibilities, including a key function in troubleshooting, ordering, compliance and forward planning. The Parish Office is adjacent to the Vicarage.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1131322
Principal address
14 Watling Street ST. ALBANS Hertfordshire AL1 2PX
PCC members who have served at any time from the 1st of January 2024 until December 2024 are as follows: Ex-Officio members
Vicar Revd Becky Leach (until June 2024) Associate Priest Revd Patrick Moriarty Curate Revd Charlie Hudson Reader Michael Elves
Elected members Church Wardens Mike Gibbs Neil Johnston (until April 2024) Mary Willatt (from April 2024) Deputy Church Wardens Joanna Field (from April 2024) Judith Ward (until October 2024) Deanery Synod Reps Andy Sharp Sian Goodwin Maggie Dodd (until April 2024) Julie Bull (from April 2024)
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Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Elected Lay members
Dave LaRiviere Anne Bowyer Yvonne Broadway Angela Smart Karen Pett Caine MacNeil (until April 2024) Tim Vellacott Hamish Hamilton Bobby Jones (from April 2024) Neil Johnston (Treasurer from April 2024) Julia Pyburn (from April 2024) Kate Newton (Secretary from April 2024) Mary Willatt (Secretary until April 2024) Mike Gibbs (member of St Julian’s DCC) Richard Pether (Buildings Officer Co-opted April 2024)
Independent Examiner
A J Bennewith FCA, FCPA, FFA, FFTA, FIPA, DChA, FRSA Upper Ground Floor 18 Farnham Road Guildford Surrey GU1 4XA
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 13 November 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Miss Joan Mary Willatt Church Warden/Trustee (signed in the vacancy)
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
A J Bennewith FCA, FCPA, FFA, FFTA, FIPA, DChA, FRSA Upper Ground Floor 18 Farnham Road Guildford Surrey GU1 4XA
13 November 2025
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Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary Income 2a Activities for generating funds 2b Investment Income 2c Trading Activities 2d Church Activities 2e Other incoming resources 2f TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED Costs of generating funds 3a Church Activities 3b Church Expenses 3c Major Revenue Expenditure 3d Other Outgoings 3e TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES Transfer between funds NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD AT 1 JANUARY 2024 BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 97,171 4,272 17,653 53,150 7,221 172 179,640 38 110,227 65,383 19,108 753 195,509 (15,869) (12,240.00) (28,109) 1,068,556 1,040,447 |
Designated Funds £ 19,133 2,799 1,137 10,265 - 675 34,010 755 12,106 16,194 32,381 - 61,436 (27,427) (25,383) (52,810) 68,005 15,195 |
Restricted Funds £ 2,500 - 685 - 4,200 5,869 13,254 - 375 3,032 31,347 - 34,754 (21,501) 37,623 16,123 189,812 205,935 |
TOTAL 2024 £ 118,805 7,072 19,475 63,414 11,421 6,716 226,903 793 122,708 84,610 82,836 753 291,700 (64,797) - (64,797) 1,326,373 1,261,576 |
As restated TOTAL 2023 £ 243,462 6,297 35,185 45,747 15,679 2,963 349,332 1,126 118,538 90,255 51,904 1,830 263,654 85,678 - 85,678 1,240,695 1,326,373 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Balance Sheet 31 December 2024
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Heritage asset 8 Investment property 10 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 12 Short term deposits Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 13 NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS FUNDS 14 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds |
Unrestricted Funds £ 100,000 750,000 850,000 4,739 144,218 52,942 201,899 (11,452) 190,447 1,040,447 |
Designated Funds £ - - - 946 16,266 1,001 18,214 (3,019) 15,195 15,195 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - 177,241 28,694 205,935 - 205,935 205,935 |
TOTAL 2024 £ 100,000 750,000 850,000 5,685 337,725 82,637 426,047 (14,470) 411,576 1,261,576 1,055,642 205,935 1,261,576 |
As restated TOTAL 2023 £ 100,000 750,000 850,000 7,380 336,332 155,211 498,923 (22,550) 476,373 1,326,373 1,136,561 189,812 1,326,373 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue 13 November 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
Miss Joan Mary Willatt
Church Warden/Trustee (signed in the vacancy)
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Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value.
Income
Collections, Planned giving, Income tax recoverable on donations, 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 auction, summer fair and similar events are accounted for on a receivable basis.
Rental income from the letting of church premises is recognised when the rental is due.
Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
The diocesan parish share is accounted for as sums are 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.
Tangible fixed assets
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 £15,000 or less are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Heritage assets
Heritage assets must be recognised at cost or at valuation if either of them can be reliably measured.
Heritage assets must be depreciated over its useful economic life unless they have indefinite lives and are therefore not depreciated. In either case, heritage assets must be reviewed at the reporting date for impairment.
Consecrated properties/Inalienable assets
Consecrated properties are excluded from the accounts due to specific legal exemptions in UK law. St Stephen's Church is a consecrated property and as such, it is excluded from the accounts. St Julian's Church is deemed to be an inalienable asset. However, it has not been valued and the cost of valuation is judged to be not worth the benefit obtained. For this reason, this is not included in the accounts.
All expenditure incurred in the year on the consecrated property and inalienable asset, individual items under £15,000 or on the repair of movable church furnishings is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities. Investment property Investment property is shown at most recent valuation. Any aggregate surplus or deficit arising from changes in fair value is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities. Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
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 can only be used for the purposes specified by the giver.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.
Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised when the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably.
Cash and cash equivalents
Short term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CBF Church of England Funds or at the bank.
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Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
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----- Start of picture text -----
2 Incoming Resources 3 Resources Expended
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023 Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
2a Voluntary Income
Planned giving tax efficient 57,792.98 11,278.51 - 69,071.49 58,459.38 3a Costs of generating funds
Gift Aid recovered 12,397.95 2,646.98 - 15,044.93 17,309.13 Costs of fund raising activities 38.20 755.15 - 793.35 1,126.36
Other Planned giving - - - - 8,770.06
Collections 4,659.03 164.60 - 4,823.63 5,759.36 3b Church Activities
Grants - - 1,525.00 1,525.00 1,900.00 Mission giving, donations 9,050.97 2,534.60 375.00 11,960.57 9,927.56
Legacies 9,439.11 - - 9,439.11 129,581.00 Parish share 69,649.91 9,571.35 - 79,221.26 84,624.00
Other giving 12,882.10 5,043.30 975.00 18,900.40 21,682.89 Salaries, wages and Honoraria 7,168.15 - - 7,168.15 7,471.50
Total 97,171.17 19,133.39 2,500.00 118,804.56 243,461.82 Clergy and staff expenses 24,358.27 - - 24,358.27 16,515.26
Total 110,227.30 12,105.95 375.00 122,708.25 118,538.32
2b Activities for generating funds
Fairs and other fund raising 4,272.42 2,799.41 - 7,071.83 6,296.68 3c Church Expenses
Mission and evangelism 1,213.73 - 300.00 1,513.73 1,967.19
2c Investment income Church running expenses 35,632.49 3,022.98 953.00 39,608.47 38,418.62
Interest (gross) bank 17,653.23 1,137.31 684.77 19,475.31 12,384.76 Church utility bills 14,689.29 1,173.36 1,579.41 17,442.06 21,618.87
Rent - - - - 22,800.00 Cost of Trading 13,847.96 10,291.30 200.00 24,339.26 27,540.66
Total 17,653.23 1,137.31 684.77 19,475.31 35,184.76 Community Café - 1,706.29 - 1,706.29 709.67
Total 65,383.47 16,193.93 3,032.41 84,609.81 90,255.01
2d Trading Activities
Hall hire 22,409.89 9,520.25 - 31,930.14 37,052.75 3d Major Revenue Expenditure
Magazine 2,049.65 - - 2,049.65 1,408.67 Major repairs to the church 19,107.75 16,190.53 8,040.83 43,339.11 48,041.52
Other 28,690.31 - - 28,690.31 6,337.15 Major repairs to the hall - 16,190.53 5,584.51 21,775.04 3,862.95
St. Julian's Trading - - - - 49.90 New building - - 17,721.51 17,721.51 -
Community Café - 744.36 - 744.36 898.22 Total 19,107.75 32,381.06 31,346.85 82,835.66 51,904.47
Total 53,149.85 10,264.61 - 63,414.46 45,746.69
3e Other Outgoings
2e Church Activities Other outgoings 752.68 - - 752.68 1,830.28
Fees - Weddings and funerals 7,221.00 - - 7,221.00 11,974.00
Organ Fund - - 4,200.00 4,200.00 3,705.00 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 195,509.40 61,436.09 34,754.26 291,699.75 263,654.44
Total 7,221.00 - 4,200.00 11,421.00 15,679.00
2f Other incoming resources
Insurance claims - - 470.00 470.00 -
Other Income 172.27 674.79 5,398.98 6,246.04 2,963.06
Total 172.27 674.79 5,868.98 6,716.04 2,963.06
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 179,639.94 34,009.51 13,253.75 226,903.20 349,332.01
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The breakdown between St Stephen and St Julian are shown from Note 16 onwards.
The £10,333.77 (2023: £11,831.52) income from St Julian was used to reduced the Parish share.
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Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
4 Trustees' remuneration and benefits
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.
5 Staff costs
The were no employees for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
- 6 Comparatives for the Statement of Financial Activities
| Unrestricted Designated Restricted Funds Funds Funds Notes £ £ £ INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary Income 2a 91,431 15,153 136,877 Activities for generating funds 2b 3,348 2,949 - Investment Income 2c 33,862 1,322 - Trading Activities 2d 34,814 10,932 - Church Activities 2e 11,974 3,705 - Other incoming resources 2f 191 400 2,372 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 175,621 34,462 139,250 RESOURCES EXPENDED Costs of generating funds 3a 385 742 - Church Activities 3b 104,893 13,645 - Church Expenses 3c 69,498 14,980 5,778 Major Revenue Expenditure 3d 7,262 1,181 43,461 Other Outgoings 3e 1,830 - - TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 183,868 30,547 49,239 NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES (8,247) 3,914 90,010 BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD AT 1,076,803 64,091 99,802 1 January 2023 BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT 1,068,556 68,005 189,812 31 December 2023 |
As restated TOTAL 2023 £ 243,462 6,297 35,185 45,747 15,679 2,963 349,332 1,126 118,538 90,255 51,904 1,830 263,654 85,678 1,240,695 1,326,373 |
|---|---|
Page 13
Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
7 Independent Examiners' Remuneration
| 8 Heritage asset Fair value At 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024 Net book value At 31 December 2023 At 31 December 2024 |
Total Total 2024 2023 3,600.00 - 100,000.00 £ 100,000.00 £ 100,000.00 £ |
|---|---|
The Dunkeld Lectern has belonged to St Stephen's Church since the Reformation and is held at the Museum of Scotland on loan. The museum is responsible for its insurance and they valued it in 2019 at £100,000.
9 Consecrated property/Inalienable asset
St. Stephen's Church is a consecrated property which is insured for £11,590,000 for both years ended 31 December 2024 and 31 December 2023.
St Julian's Church is an inalienable asset. It has not been valued and so is not included. St Julian's Church is insured for £2,960,000 for both years ended 31 December 2024 and 31 December 2023.
| 10 Investment property Fair value At 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024 Net book value At 31 December 2023 At 31 December 2024 |
750,000.00 £ 750,000.00 £ 750,000.00 £ |
|---|---|
The property owned at 12, Tavistock Avenue was valued at £240,000 in April 2002. An informal valuation was done in July 2022, putting it in the region of £750,000.
It is insured for £606,880 for both years ended 31 December 2024 and 31 December 2023.
11 Prior year adjustments
The 2023 debtors, cash at bank and in hand and creditors have been restated. The accrued income has been moved from being a reduction in creditors to being part of debtors. The cash not banked at the year end has been moved from being part of debtors to being part of the cash at bank and in hand. These adjustments have no effect in the fund balances.
The prior year adjustments also include the recognition of the heritage asset, Dunkeld Lectern, which was mistakenly missed out of the previous accounts. This adjustment has increased the unrestricted fund balance by £100,000.
12 Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year
| Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income Other debtors |
As restated Total Total 2024 2023 3,764.60 4,141.30 938.90 1,955.94 981.25 1,282.37 5,684.75 7,379.61 |
|---|---|
13 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
| Trade creditors Accruals and prepaid income Other creditors |
As restated Total Total 2024 2023 533.67 592.65 11,835.31 3,722.67 2,101.40 18,234.60 14,470.38 22,549.92 |
|---|---|
Page 14
Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
14 Movement in funds
| Unrestricted funds General fund Organ Fund St Julian Restricted funds Porch - J. Robins Toilet Screens Garden of Remembrance Car Park Choc Stop Heating & Lighting Rennie Grove Ukraine Hall Men's Breakfast Tree Inspection Gift for Becky Lunch Club Charity Hymn Books Energy Audit Insurance Claim Church Times Ad Restoration Restoration Fund Organ Fund St Julian Total funds |
Net Transfers movement between At At 1.1.24 in funds funds 31.12.24 £ £ £ £ 1,068,556.24 (15,869.46) (12,240.00) 1,040,446.78 37,623.23 - (37,623.23) - 30,381.59 (27,426.58) 12,240.00 15,195.02 1,136,561.06 (43,296.04) (37,623.23) 1,055,641.80 48,071.36 (17,721.51) - 30,349.85 117.75 - - 117.75 3,000.00 - - 3,000.00 100.00 - - 100.00 - - - - 20.00 - - 20.00 779.41 (779.41) - - 2.50 - - 2.50 10.00 - - 10.00 60.00 - - 60.00 10.00 - - 10.00 2,356.32 (2,356.32) - - - - - - - 400.00 - 400.00 75.00 - - 75.00 300.00 (300.00) - - - - - - - 70.00 - 70.00 - 500.00 - 500.00 128,581.00 - - 128,581.00 5,770.04 - (5,770.04) - - 4,656.77 37,623.23 42,280.00 558.58 (5,970.04) 5,770.04 358.58 189,811.96 (21,500.51) 37,623.23 205,934.68 1,326,373.02 (64,796.55) - 1,261,576.48 |
|---|---|
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund St Julian Restricted funds Porch - J. Robins Car Park Heating & Lighting Tree Inspection Gift for Becky Lunch Club Charity Hymn Books Energy Audit Insurance Claim Church Times Ad Organ Fund St Julian Total funds |
Incoming Resource Movement resources expended in funds £ £ £ 189,973.71 (205,843.17) (15,869.46) 34,009.51 (61,436.09) (27,426.58) 223,983.22 (267,279.26) (43,296.04) - (17,721.51) (17,721.51) 100.00 (100.00) 0.00 800.00 (1,579.41) (779.41) - (2,356.32) (2,356.32) 375.00 (375.00) - 400.00 - 400.00 - - - - (300.00) (300.00) 325.00 (325.00) - 470.00 (400.00) 70.00 500.00 - 500.00 4,884.77 (228.00) 4,656.77 5,398.98 (11,369.02) (5,970.04) 13,253.75 (34,754.26) (21,500.51) 237,236.97 (302,033.52) (64,796.55) |
|---|---|
Page 15
Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
15 Movement in funds - continued
Porch - J. Robins Legacy for improving St Stephen's Church entrance, then other projects agreed with executors. Toilet Toilet improvements. Screens Audio visual equipment. Garden of Remembrance Maintenance of Garden of Remembrance. Car Park Repair of St Stephen's Car Park surface. Choc Stop Suspended Event. Heating & Lighting Heating and Lighting of St Stephen's Church. Rennie Grove Late payment not distributed. Ukraine Late payment not distributed. Hall Hall improvements. Men's Breakfast Regular Parish event. Tree Inspection Inspection of Horse Chestnut tree. Gift for Becky Vicar's leaving collection. Lunch Club Regular Parish event. Hymn Books Provision of large print hymn books. Energy Audit Contribution to Energy Audit. Insurance Claim Paid insurance claim for curates house. Church Times Ad Contribution to advertisement for new Vicar. Restoration Legacy for building maintenance of St Stephen's Church. Restoration Fund General fund for major building work at both churches. Organ Fund Repair and maintenance of St Stephen's Organ which has been treated as a restricted fund from being a designated fund.
16 Related party transactions
A spouse of one of the trustees was paid £16,992 for self-employed work for the charity (2023: £14,036).
One of the trustees was paid £2,400 for providing cleaning services to St Julian's Church (2023: £2,080).
Page 16
Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
17 St Stephen Statement of Financial Activities
| St Stephen Statement of Financial Activities |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As restated | ||||||
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | TOTAL | TOTAL | ||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| INCOMING RESOURCES | ||||||
| Voluntary Income | 18a | 97,171.17 | - | 2,500.00 | 99,671.17 | 228,308.50 |
| Activities for generating funds | 18b | 4,272.42 | - | - | 4,272.42 | 3,348.15 |
| Investment Income | 18c | 17,653.23 | - | 684.77 | 18,338.00 | 34,263.04 |
| Trading Activities | 18d | 53,149.85 | - | - | 53,149.85 | 34,814.32 |
| Church Activities | 18e | 7,221.00 | - | 4,200.00 | 11,421.00 | 15,679.00 |
| Other incoming resources | 18f | 172.27 | - | 470.00 | 642.27 | 190.87 |
| From St Julian | 10,333.77 | - | - | 10,333.77 | 11,831.52 | |
| TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES | 189,973.71 | - | 7,854.77 | 197,828.48 | 328,435.40 | |
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | ||||||
| Costs of generating funds | 19a | 38.20 | - | - | 38.20 | 384.69 |
| Church Activities | 19b | 120,561.07 | - | 375.00 | 120,936.07 | 116,713.27 |
| Church Expenses | 19c | 65,383.47 | - | 2,832.41 | 68,215.88 | 73,673.02 |
| Major Revenue Expenditure | 19d | 19,107.75 | - | 20,177.83 | 39,285.58 | 51,299.41 |
| Other Outgoings | 19e | 752.68 | - | - | 752.68 | 1,830.28 |
| TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED | 205,843.17 | - | 23,385.24 | 229,228.41 | 243,900.67 | |
| NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES | (15,869.46) | - | (15,530.47) | (31,399.93) | 84,534.73 | |
| Transfer between funds | (12,240.00) | (37,623.23) | 31,853.19 | (18,010.04) | - | |
| NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | (28,109.46) | (37,623.23) | 16,322.72 | (49,409.97) | 84,534.73 | |
| BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD AT | 1,068,556.24 | 37,623.23 | 189,253.38 | 1,295,432.85 | 1,210,898.12 | |
| 1 JANUARY 2024 | ||||||
| BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT | 1,040,446.78 | - | 205,576.10 | 1,246,022.88 | 1,295,432.85 | |
| 31 DECEMBER 2024 | ||||||
| Balance sheet |
| FIXED ASSETS | Notes | Unrestricted Designated Restricted Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ |
As restated TOTAL TOTAL 2024 2023 £ £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage assets | 8 | 100,000.00 - - |
100,000.00 100,000.00 |
| Investment property | 10 | 750,000.00 - - |
750,000.00 750,000.00 |
| CURRENT ASSETS | 850,000.00 - - |
850,000.00 850,000.00 |
|
| Debtors | 4,738.50 - - |
4,738.50 7,272.74 |
|
| Short term deposits | 144,218.23 - 176,882.10 |
321,100.33 304,887.79 |
|
| Cash at bank and in hand | 52,941.93 - 28,694.00 |
81,635.93 154,052.35 |
|
| CREDITORS | 201,898.66 - 205,576.10 |
407,474.76 466,212.88 |
|
| Amounts falling due within one year | (11,451.88) - - |
(11,451.88) (20,780.03) |
|
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 190,446.78 - 205,576.10 |
396,022.88 445,432.85 |
|
| NET ASSETS | 1,040,446.78 - 205,576.10 |
1,246,022.88 1,295,432.85 |
|
| FUNDS | 14 | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 1,040,446.78 1,106,179.47 |
||
| Restricted funds | 205,576.10 189,253.38 |
||
| 1,246,022.88 1,295,432.85 |
Page 17
Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
==> picture [642 x 294] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023 Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
18a Voluntary Income 19a Costs of generating income
Planned giving tax efficient 57,792.98 - - 57,792.98 49,210.12 Costs of fund raising activities 38.20 - - 38.20 384.69
Gift Aid recovered 12,397.95 - - 12,397.95 15,391.22
Other Planned giving - - - - 8,770.06 19b Church Activities
Collections 4,659.03 - - 4,659.03 5,545.03 Mission giving, donations 9,050.97 - 375.00 9,425.97 8,102.51
Grants - - 1,525.00 1,525.00 1,900.00 Parish share 79,983.68 - - 79,983.68 84,624.00
Legacies 9,439.11 - - 9,439.11 129,581.00 Salaries, wages and Honoraria 7,168.15 - - 7,168.15 7,471.50
Other giving 12,882.10 - 975.00 13,857.10 17,911.07 Clergy and staff expenses 24,358.27 - - 24,358.27 16,515.26
Total 97,171.17 - 2,500.00 99,671.17 228,308.50 Total 120,561.07 - 375.00 120,936.07 116,713.27
18b Activities for generating funds 19c Church Expenses
Fairs and other fund raising 4,272.42 - - 4,272.42 3,348.15 Mission and evangelism 1,213.73 - 300.00 1,513.73 1,967.19
Church running expenses 35,632.49 - 953.00 36,585.49 36,937.41
18c Investment Income Church utility bills 14,689.29 - 1,579.41 16,268.70 20,657.70
Interest 17,653.23 - 684.77 18,338.00 11,463.04 Cost of Trading 13,847.96 - - 13,847.96 14,110.72
Rent - - - - 22,800.00 Total 65,383.47 - 2,832.41 68,215.88 73,673.02
Total 17,653.23 - 684.77 18,338.00 34,263.04
19d Major Revenue Expenditure
18d Trading Activities Major repairs to the church 19,107.75 - 2,456.32 21,564.07 47,436.46
Hall hire 22,409.89 - - 22,409.89 27,068.50 Major repairs to the hall - - - - 3,862.95
Magazine 2,049.65 - - 2,049.65 1,408.67 New building - - 17,721.51 17,721.51 -
Other 28,690.31 - - 28,690.31 6,337.15 Total 19,107.75 - 20,177.83 39,285.58 51,299.41
Total 53,149.85 - - 53,149.85 34,814.32
19e Other Outgoings
18e Church Activities Other outgoings 752.68 - - 752.68 1,830.28
Fees - Weddings and funerals 7,221.00 - - 7,221.00 11,974.00
Organ Fund - - 4,200.00 4,200.00 3,705.00 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 205,843.17 - 23,385.24 229,228.41 243,900.67
Total 7,221.00 - 4,200.00 11,421.00 15,679.00
18f Other incoming resources
Insurance claims - - 470.00 470.00 -
Other Income 172.27 - - 172.27 190.87
Total 172.27 - 470.00 642.27 190.87
Total of the above 179,639.94 - 7,854.77 187,494.71 316,603.88
Contribution from St Julian 10,333.77 - - 10,333.77 11,831.52
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 189,973.71 - 7,854.77 197,828.48 328,435.40
----- End of picture text -----
Page 18
Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| 20 | St Julian Statement of Financial Activities Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary Income 21a Activities for generating funds 21b Investment Income 21c Trading Activities 21d Other incoming resources 21e TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED Costs of generating funds 22a Church Activities 22b Church Expenses 22c Major Revenue Expenditure 22d TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES Transfer between funds NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD AT 1 JANUARY 2024 BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Balance sheet Notes CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Short term deposits Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS FUNDS 14 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds |
Unrestricted Designated Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 19,133.39 - - 19,133.39 15,153.32 2,799.41 - - 2,799.41 2,948.53 1,137.31 - - 1,137.31 921.72 9,520.25 744.36 - 10,264.61 10,932.37 469.49 205.30 5,398.98 6,073.77 2,772.19 33,059.85 949.66 5,398.98 39,408.49 32,728.13 755.15 - - 755.15 741.67 12,105.95 - - 12,105.95 13,645.05 14,487.64 1,706.29 200.00 16,393.93 16,593.51 32,381.06 - 11,169.02 43,550.08 605.06 59,729.80 1,706.29 11,369.02 72,805.11 31,585.29 (26,669.95) (756.63) (5,970.04) (33,396.62) 1,142.84 15,240.00 (3,000.00) 5,770.04 18,010.04 - (11,429.95) (3,756.63) (200.00) (15,386.58) 1,142.84 12,564.21 17,817.38 558.58 30,940.17 29,797.33 1,134.27 14,060.75 358.58 15,553.59 30,940.17 Unrestricted Designated Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 946.25 - - 946.25 106.87 2,205.63 14,060.75 358.58 16,624.96 31,444.49 1,000.89 - 1,000.89 1,158.70 4,152.77 14,060.75 358.58 18,572.10 32,710.06 (3,018.50) - - (3,018.50) (1,769.89) 1,134.27 14,060.75 358.58 15,553.60 30,940.17 1,134.27 14,060.75 358.58 15,553.60 30,940.17 15,195.02 30,381.59 358.58 558.58 15,553.60 30,940.17 |
|---|---|---|
Page 19
Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen's with St. Julian's, St. Albans
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
==> picture [578 x 189] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023 Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
21a Voluntary Income 22a Cost of generating funds
Planned giving tax efficient 11,278.51 - - 11,278.51 9,249.26 Cost of fund-raising activities 755.15 - - 755.15 741.67
Gift Aid recovered 2,646.98 - - 2,646.98 1,917.91
Collections 164.60 - - 164.60 214.33 22b Church Activities
Other Giving 5,043.30 - - 5,043.30 3,771.82 Mission giving, donations 2,534.60 - - 2,534.60 1,825.05
Total 19,133.39 - - 19,133.39 15,153.32 Parish share 9,571.35 - - 9,571.35 11,820.00
Total 12,105.95 - - 12,105.95 13,645.05
21b Activities for generating funds
Fairs and other fund raising 2,799.41 - - 2,799.41 2,948.53 22c Church Expenses
Church running expenses 3,022.98 - - 3,022.98 1,492.73
21c Investment Income Church utility bills 1,173.36 - - 1,173.36 961.17
Interest 1,137.31 - - 1,137.31 921.72 Cost of Trading 10,291.30 1,706.29 200.00 12,197.59 14,139.61
Total 14,487.64 1,706.29 200.00 16,393.93 16,593.51
21d Trading Activities
Hall hire 9,520.25 - - 9,520.25 9,984.25 22d Major Revenue Expenditure
Other - 744.36 - 744.36 948.12 Major repairs to the church 16,190.53 - 5,584.51 21,775.04 605.06
Total 9,520.25 744.36 - 10,264.61 10,932.37 Major repairs to the hall 16,190.53 - 5,584.51 21,775.04 -
Total 32,381.06 - 11,169.02 43,550.08 605.06
21e Other incoming resources
Other Income 469.49 205.30 5,398.98 6,073.77 2,772.19 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 59,729.80 1,706.29 11,369.02 72,805.11 31,585.29
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 33,059.85 949.66 5,398.98 39,408.49 32,728.13
----- End of picture text -----
Page 20