Annual Report of Great Aycliffe PCC ## **Administrative information** The Parish of Great Aycliffe is made up of four churches, St. Clare's Church, St. Cuthbert's Way, Newton Aycliffe; St. Elizabeth's Church, Woodham; St. Andrew's Church, Aycliffe Village and St. Francis' Church which is a part of St. Francis Church of England aided Junior School, Horndale. The parish is a part of the Durham Diocese within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Parish Office. St Clare’s Church. St. Cuthbert's Way, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 5NT ## **Structure, governance and management** PCC's are governed by two "Church of England Measures"; the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 as amended and the Church Representation Rules (contained in Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969 as amended). The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. In the Parish of Great Aycliffe, the PCC consists of the Incumbent (At the moment Priest in charge) who acts as chair, any other clergy licensed to the parish, Licensed Lay Minister, Church Wardens, three deanery synod representatives and nine elected members, which according to the 2017 scheme 3 should come from each church. Up to two co-options are also permitted. 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 PCC is the governing body of the DCC's and therefore any faculty applications or other major decisions need to be approved at the PCC meetings. Both PCC and DCC’s meet bi-monthly and therefore six times each year. Subcommittees at DCC level have certain responsibilities and are able to deal with the ongoing development, upkeep and maintenance of the church. These committees include pastoral care, hall management, buildings committee, funding application committee, communications, and missional leadership for growth. They are responsible to the PCC and DCC's and report back regularly with minutes of their decisions being received and discussed as necessary. ## **Aims and purposes** The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Parish of Great Aycliffe has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent (or at present the Priest in Charge, Rev John Musson) 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 promotion of the Christian faith in the Church of England Aided School of St. Francis, Horndale and appoints foundation members to its governing body. ## **Objectives and activities** The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at each of our churches of St. Clare, St. Andrew, and St. Elizabeth. 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. We have tried to fulfil the aims of the church for the benefit of our church and the wider community. - Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; and developing their - knowledge and trust in Jesus. - Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish. - Missionary and outreach work. ## **Membership in 2024** Rev John Musson, priest in charge since 11[th] November 2024 Churchwardens David Blair, Helen McCormick, Miriam Wilson Deanery Synod Reps Annette Bowmer, David Blair LLM Jim Walsh, Eileen Bowman (resigned August 2024) Elected members Cath Halford Ric Hargreaves Co-opted members Tony Carr Julia Fay ## **STANDING COMMITTEE** It is a requirement by law that a Standing Committee is appointed. It sets the agenda for the PCC meeting and deals with business in between meetings. ## **SUMMARY OF PCC MEETINGS** The PCC met six times during 2024. The PCC has been very busy throughout the year with a range of topics discussed. More detail may be found elsewhere in this report, and in the Minute File available on request. In summary, these were:- Safeguarding – Safeguarding matters are discussed and policies and best practice is followed. Unfortunately the PCC has so far been unable to find a replacement Parish Safeguarding Officer since Lyn Vincent stepped down. Warden’s report – each PCC meeting receives reports from each church/DCC which include matters relating to buildings and worship. Youth and children – reports comment on how Messy Church is growing, and good contact continues to be made with Parish Youth, as well as Shine Vacancy – PCC received notice of the Bishop suspending the living; Duncan Podbury conducted a Vacancy Audit report, which resulted in the parish being allocated Rev John Musson as Interim Change Minister (priest in charge). He was licensed in November. An interim team vicar is also promised to support the ministry. John reported that one of his tasks is to conduct a review of how the structure of PCC/DCC might best work in the future. Finance – reports were regularly received from DCC’s as well as the PCC account. Decisions were taken about the quota for 2025 and PCC hope that through good stewardship and advice from the Diocese this will be met. Community development – the PCC received reports about outreach both to the schools and through groups operating in the churches. Mission and outreach - The parish website is kept up to date, and regular posts are made to the Facebook page. Rev John Musson started work with the PCC at the first meeting he attended to see how our mission to the parish can grow. PCC will start work on priorities soon. Approved as the 2024 annual report from the PCC to the APCM. Rev W J Musson, Chair THE PCC OF GREAT AYCLIFFE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Amstrong Accountancy 68 Leander Drive Boldon Tyne and Wear NE35 9LS CONTENTS Page Church information Independent Examinels Report Statement of Receipts and Payments Statement of Assets and Liabilities Notes to the accounts Movement in funds Page1 of7 THE PARISH OF GREAT AYCLIFFE CHURCH INFORMATION Diocese ORD Number 248711 Charity Commission Registration Number 1131381 Priest in charge Rev'd J. Musson Bank Barclays Bank plc 1 Churchill Pla London E14 5HP Independent Examiner Mrs L Armstrong Amistrong Accountancy 68 Leander Drive Henley Grange Boldon Colliery NE35 9LS Page2of7 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT To the PCC of the Parish of Great Aycliffe This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2024. which are set out on pages 2 to 10, is in respect of an examination carried out in accordan￿ with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and s.43 of the Charities Act 1993. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b} of the Charities Act, and to state whether partjcular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's statement My examination was carried out in accordan￿ with 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 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 lirnited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's statement 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 reqLbirements'. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act, which has not been met. Signed Mrs L Armstrong Armstrong Accountancy 68 Leander Drive Henley Grange Boldon Colliery NE35 9LS Independent Examiner 31st March 2025 The Parish of Great Aycliffe Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 Receipts and Payments Accounts page3of7 Receipts Unrestricted Designated Funds funds Restricted Funds Totsl Funds 2024 Totsl Funds 2023 Voluntary receipts Planned Giving Income Tax Recovery Open Plate collections Other voluntary receipts Donations and Appeals Sundry donations Community fund Legacies 21,545 6,668 10,121 21,545 8,668 10,121 31,010 9,143 11,698 2,000 2,183 16,272 1,590 18,455 1.590 12,769 11,565 1,500 30,000 107,685 40,517 19,862 60,379 Activities for generating funds Fetes Bazaars, other fund raising events Welcome café Church Hall lettings etc Candles Baptismlwedding certificates and banns Headstones Sundry income 9,171 3.379 34,242 52 2.386 11,557 3,379 34,242 52 14,179 4,804 24,248 344 258 349 320 44,502 46,844 2,386 49,230 Investment income Dividends Interest Surplusl-Deficit on investments 52 282 52 312 166 530 48 167 33 248 30 166 196 334 Church activities Fees Diocese clergy cover Magazines Grants Refunds Advertising Memorial book Gifts Parish youth Sundry Receipts 13.102 1,958 104 500 1,217 14,319 1,958 104 1,000 8,940 20,069 236 14,741 181 375 84 1,639 70 1,273 38,668 500 8.940 75 75 50 434 16,223 50 480 26,927 46 10,704 Total receipts 103,918 33,147 137,065 191,103 Excessl-Deficit of receipts over payments Transfers between funds Cash at bank at 1 January 24 Cash at bank at 31 December 24 -28.116 -538 38.338 9,685 169 538 72.942 73,649 -27,946 42,339 111,281 83,335 68,942 111,281 The Parish of Great Aycliffe Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 Receipts and Payments Accounts Payments Page4of7 Unrestricted Designated Funds Funds Restricted Funds Totsl Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Church activities Mission giving and donations Missionary & charitable giving Church Overseas Home missions & Church Societies Secular charities 64 3,667 928 448 1.440 928 959 1,952 511 511 683 4,350 Activities . related to church work Ministry . Parish share Clergy Expenses Visiting clergy Clergy house (water) Church running expenses Rent Church maintenance Upkeep of churchyard Hall running costs Major Repairs and decoration Upkeep of church services Copyright Licen DBS checks Holiday grant Parish children Salaries Pensions Sundry Expenses Fees paid 76.736 76,736 39,600 460 1,297 403 19,572 978 9,790 6,732 100 14,367 6,732 100 14.367 3,673 1,266 9,181 720 955 472 67 9,503 300 13,176 1,566 9,181 10,837 955 472 67 844 33,749 833 459 14 180 523 3,458 780 1,487 8,919 840 913 5,651 756 131,506 10,118 110 3.778 780 1.362 2.273 159 269 3,778 780 1,488 2,273 126 Organist Vergers Hampers and gifts Equipment purchased 775 74 775 4,564 4.490 124,262 24,696 148,957 Cost of generating funds Costs of fetes, bazaars etc Welcome café 637 2,069 2.706 637 4,579 5,216 1,194 4,581 5,775 2,510 2,510 Church Management & administration Accountancy Professional fees Bank and sum up charges Training Advertising printing and stationery Telephone 1,700 910 46 1,700 5,242 46 1,500 1,856 20 775 1,271 1,712 7,134 4,332 493 1,405 4,554 493 1,405 8,886 4,332 Total payments The Parish of Great Aycliffe Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 December 2024 Page5of7 Un￿striCted Design*d Funds funds Restricted Funds Totsl Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Cash Funds Bank accounts churches Cash accounts CCLA 4,934 154 70,970 75,904 154 4,598 104,269 214 4,598 4,315 Other monetsry assets Investment assets Investment funds (at market value) 2.679 2,679 2,483 Assets retained for Church use 9,686 73,649 83,335 111,281 Liabilities 9.686 73,649 83,335 111,281 Approved by the Parish of Great Aycliffe, and signed on its behalf by Mr S. Ingram (Treasurer) Rev'd J. Musson (Chaimian) The Parish of Great Aycliffe Notes to the financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2024 Page6of7 1 Accounting Policies The financial statements of the PCC have b&n prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using the receipts and payments basis. 2 Fixed assets under £5,000 are written off in the year of purchase. 3 Movements in designated and restricted funds were'.- Unrestrlcted Designated Restricted Total Funds Total Funds Funds funds Funds 2024 2023 Excessl-Deficit of receipts over payments Transfers be￿een funds Cash at bank at 1 January 24 Cash at bank at 31 December 24 -28,116 -538 38,338 9,685 169 538 72,942 73,649 -27,946 42,339 111,280 83,334 68,942 111,281 The Parish of Great Aycliffe Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 Movement in Funds page7of7 Opening Balance Surplus & Expendi￿re Transfers (Deficlt) Interes Closing Balanc• Designated Restricted Income St Andrew Fabric fund Fabric fund - WC Churchyard Bells General Maintenance Service requisites Organ Heritage fund T Chapman Tilhe Act AH Bowen T Gibson 42996.16 10633.28 932.68 1235.00 0.00 9641.18 12888.00 197.83 1332.(Y) 1232.00 300.00 39749.34 9499.11 1864.68 1235.00 0.00 685.60 311.80 120.25 393.09 663.56 1501.70 685.60 311.80 115.72 384.29 638.57 1344.04 4.53 8.80 24.99 157.66 St Clare Youth ministry Fabric fund Messy church Church garden. Places of welcome Tiddles and toddlers Charities 89.62 2901.76 240.00 54.78 6724.03 116.05 0.00 0.00 12259.77 8437.50 123.95 10.¢X) 10.Crf) 10_00 10.00 54.31 2.03 47.75 0.00 1438.38 1440.41 St Elizabeth of Hungary Fabric fund Fabric- church carpet Fabric- hall carpet Mother & Toddlers Deanery weekly welcom Grants 2490.44 0.00 0.00 26.04 184.40 524.85 -1748.67 1905.00 1105.00 -156.33 -26.04 190.00 -120.00 741.77 1905.00 0.00 0.00 735.38 524.85 1261.33 860.98 St Francis Fabric 960.39 960.39 Parish Community fund Wardens fund Holiday Open the book Pastoral care 1971.76 4046.00 127.30 17.55 8.17 6(￿.00 7099.98 683.63 1615.41 4046.00 127.30 17.55 8.17 72941.76 32951.47 32978.24 537.59 166.46 29.52 0.00 73648.56