## **Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Martin of Tours, Chelsfield Registered Charity No: 1131573 2023** ## **Introduction** The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the parish of Chelsfield is responsible for working with the incumbent in promoting the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The parish church is St. Martin of Tours, Chelsfield. The parish also contains Well Hill Mission church. The PCC is responsible for the maintenance of the parish church and churchyard of St. Martin of Tours, Well Hill Mission church in Well Hill and the Parish Room in Skibbs Lane, Chelsfield. The parish is part of the Benefice of Chelsfield with Green Street Green and Pratts Bottom. Each parish retains its own PCC. ## **Clergy** The Rector and Incumbent is Reverend Susan Atkinson-Jones. She is assisted by the Associate Rector, Reverend Michael Gentry. In September 2023, Reverend Martin Hayward was ordained priest and continued as a self-supporting minister on a part-time basis as Assistant Curate. All members of the clergy, supported by 4 lay readers, provide ministry across all four churches in the benefice. ## **Objectives and Activities** The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship and to become part of our parish community at St. Martin’s and Well Hill. The PCC maintains an overview of worship and makes suggestions on how services can involve the various groups that live within the parish. The PCC is responsible for the financial affairs of the parish. ## **Achievements and Performance** The life of the parish has recovered well from the restrictions of Covid pandemic, though attendance at services at St. Martin’s remained below pre-pandemic numbers. The church community engages with the wider local community through regular local newsletters and invitations to both church and social events. Well Hill Mission church celebrated its 130th anniversary since foundation with a very successful flower festival and summer concert. ## **Plans for the Future** The PCC continues to review activities with a view to increasing the involvement of parishioners in church and community life. ## **Services** The PCC offers a range of services that our community find both socially beneficial and spiritually fulfilling. During 2024 the PCC continued to support the use of the Book of Common Prayer at St. Martin’s as well as using the orders of service from Common Worship. Regular services are held at St. Martin’s on Sundays at 10.00am and 6.30pm, as well as on Wednesdays at 9.30am. At Well Hill Mission church, services are held on the second and fourth Sundays of the month at 10.00am. A benefice service is held in each church in the benefice by rotation if there is a 5th Sunday in the month. Messy church is held once a month on a Saturday at the church hall at St. Mary’s Green St. Green. 1 12 A new Taizé service started in September 2023 and is continuing on a monthly basis. Other services may be arranged to celebrate events in the Christian year or other special occasions. Details of services, both regular and special, are provided on the website and published in the monthly magazine. The church of St. Martin of Tours is open daily for private prayer. The Brass Crosby Room and Parish Room are made available for church and local community groups. Donations are received towards the running costs of these rooms. Well Hill Mission church may be opened between services by contacting the PCC secretary. ## **Pastoral Care** Any parishioner who is unable to attend services for any reason can request a visit from a member of the clergy, to join in prayer and celebrate communion with them at their homes or in hospital. They are kept informed of services and activities. Other members of our congregation also identify and regularly visit members of the community who are sick or in need. If requested, prayers are said at Sunday services for those who are sick or in need. The Memory Café meets monthly in the Brass Crosby Room. It is designed to provide a social environment for people living with dementia and their carers. Each meeting includes a short act of worship. ## **Mission, Evangelism and Social Media** Our magazine keeps parishioners and friends informed of the important matters affecting our churches and parish community and includes articles that help us grow as Christians. Both the parish and the wider benefice have a Mission Action Plan to identify areas of church life where improvements may be made and action taken. One or more services a week are streamed live from St. Martin’s church on the YouTube channel - “St. Martin of Tours Chelsfield”. There is an active Facebook page “ChelsfieldStMartins”. The parish website is http://www.stmartinchelsfield.org.uk. ## **Churches and Churchyard** Architects commissioned by the PCC have prepared a specification of works necessary for the repair of the spire of St. Martin’s church and of some of the external stonework. Acceptance of a quote for the works is expected in the spring of 2024 with a view to the works being completed over the summer. A fundraising campaign was started in 2023 and has raised the majority of the sums required. Further fund-raising will continue in 2024. Other repairs and maintenance are undertaken as necessary by both volunteers and contractors as required. ## **Church Groups** There are a number of active church groups, including the Toddlers Group, Ladies Group, Memory Café, church choir, bellringers and a churchyard maintenance working group. Details of each of these groups are given on the website. ## **Deanery and Diocesan Synod Representation** Two members of the PCC are members of the Deanery Synod. One member also is a representative on the Diocesan Synod. These representations maintain the important link between the parish and the wider structure of the church. 2 13 ## **Ecumenical Relationships** St. Martin's is a member of ‘Churches Together in Orpington’, and a Corporate Member of the Prayer Book Society and is listed on the Small Pilgrim Places Network. ## **Financial Review** The Financial Statements for the Parish of Chelsfield cover the year ending 31st December 2023. The net surplus for the year over all funds was £120.3k (2022: £48.4k), before accounting for a small loss on revaluation of an asset of £1,250. The majority of this overall surplus represented the receipt of restricted donations in advance of the expected related expenditure. The net surplus on unrestricted funds was £7.6k (2022: £38k). The 2023 surplus included a one-off legacy of £7k (2022: £36k). Total income for the year was £230.6k, of which £90.7k was unrestricted. This compares with total income in 2022 of £138.3k of which £116.6k was unrestricted. £117k of the restricted donations received were for the Spire Appeal. General unrestricted expenditure increased slightly from £78.6k in 2022 to £83.2k in 2023. Unrestricted fund expenditure represents the on-going costs of running the parish and maintaining the churches and churchyard. The Balance Sheet includes the sum of £109.6k (2022: £105k) in both short-term deposits and creditors. This represents a restricted legacy received in 2022, plus accumulated interest. The PCC was informed by the testator’s solicitors that the legacy was not intended for the parish in spite of the wording of the Will which named the church of St. Martin of Tours, Chelsfield. Diocesan solicitors continue to be in correspondence with the testator’s solicitors and the matter is yet to be resolved. The legacy was not included in the parish’s income. Well Hill Mission church and the Toddlers Group maintain separate finances which are consolidated into the parish figures. Well Hill Mission church made a surplus of £1,883 (2022: £1,264), of which the 130th anniversary celebrations contributed £1,118. The Toddlers Group made a small surplus of £62 _._ ## **Reserves Policy** It is PCC policy to try to maintain a balance on free reserves which equates to a minimum of 6 months of general expenditure averaged over 3 years. It is held to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and meet emergencies. Free reserves are defined as unrestricted funds, excluding fixed assets, and Well Hill Mission church funds. The balance of unrestricted free reserves at the end of the year 2023 was £90.2k _,_ which represented approximately 14 months’ general expenditure. Short-term funds balances are held with the CCLA Church of England CBF Deposit Fund and the Diocesan Board of Finance, primarily with the Diocesan Church Repair Fund. ## **Risk Management and Safeguarding** In compliance with the recommendations from Diocese of Rochester the Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) has responsibility for the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. Appropriate training has been undertaken by the PSO. PCC members are DBS checked and undertake safeguarding training courses. Safeguarding policies are approved annually by the PCC. The PCC has complied with the duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016. St. Martin’s church, Well Hill Mission church and the Parish Room are insured with Ecclesiastical Insurance. St. Martin’s building and contents are insured for £8.87m. Well Hill Mission church’s building is insured for £2.96m. The Parish Room, including contents, are insured for £2.96m. Public liability insurance cover is for £10m. There were no insurance claims during the year. 3 14 ## **Structure, Governance and Management** Chelsfield Parish is part of the Diocese of Rochester. It operates under the Church Representation Rules 2020 under the Church Representation and Ministers Measure 2019, as updated from time to time. The PCC is a registered charity under the full name of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Martin of Tours Chelsfield, registered number 1131573. The PCC is responsible for its financial affairs and for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish. PCC members are appointed in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. Membership consists of the clergy, churchwardens, synod representatives and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the Electoral Roll of the parish. On 31 December 2023 there were 105 members on the Church Electoral Roll. PCC meetings are held every 2 months. A number of sub-committees have delegated powers and meet between full meetings of the PCC: Standing Committee: - has the power to transact business between full PCC meetings, subject to limitations set by the PCC. Its members are the clergy, churchwardens, lay reader, treasurer and secretary. Finance Committee: - discusses budgets, financial updates and any major financial matters arising and makes recommendations to the full PCC. It has the same membership as the Standing Committee, but other members with financial expertise are co-opted as required. ## **Volunteers** The work of the parish and its achievements are dependent upon the unquantifiable time and talents its members bring to support all of its activities. The PCC takes this opportunity to thank all who have contributed during the year in any way to support the mission of the Church. ## **Administrative Information** The church of St. Martin of Tours, Chelsfield is situated in the London Borough of Bromley and is located on the corner of Church Road and Court Road, Chelsfield, Kent. What3words ref: finger.amused.rate. Well Hill Mission church is situated just outside the London Borough of Bromley, in Kent. It is located about a mile east of Chelsfield Village and is reached at the end of a single-lane track leading off Well Hill. What3words ref: itself.maps.mason. The correspondence address for the parish is through the Benefice office at St. Mary's Church, Worlds End Lane Orpington BR6 6AG and via email at office@smasch.org. ## **Trustees** PCC members are trustees of the registered charity. Members who served at any time from 1st January 2023 until the date this report was approved are: ## **Ex Officio members** : _**Rector:**_ Rev'd Susan Atkinson-Jones _**Associate Rector:**_ Rev'd Michael Gentry _**Assistant Curate:**_ Rev’d Martin Hayward _**Churchwardens:**_ Philippa Rooke and Paul Gosling _**Representatives on the Deanery or Diocesan Synods:**_ Paul Gosling, Stephen McCann and Mary Tozer 4 15 **Elected Members:** Karen Barter (from 21st April 2023) Michael Choong Caroline Davis Barry Foale (Treasurer) Tony Hemmings Val Hemmings Ken I’Anson (Reader) Anne Ireland (Secretary) Jackie McCann Wendy McDonnell Jim Nicol (to 2nd April 2023) Jonathan Sargant Paul Venton **Bankers:** HSBC, 249 High Street, Orpington, Kent **Independent Examiner:** D J Lewis Adopted by the PCC on and signed on their behalf by: The Reverend Susan Atkinson-Jones (Chairman) 5 16 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST.MARTIN-OF-TOUR. CHELSFIELD STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTMTIES TOTAL FUNDS 2022 FurwJ5 INCOME AND ENDOWMEP Volunw Athvities for getEratirvJ r￿d$ Incon* from shcrft terni ¢W)5its Income from cfvJrch Al*¥￿e5 Other incoming resour roTAL INCOME 4a) 5T,241 133.646 19J.887 112,236 15.835 21cl 2(d) 21el 5.891 321 9.724 9.412 9.733 .781 139.858 230.639 138.300 EXPENDrruRE Chutch 3(a} 2.157 27225 1￿.3R? 88,$51 R&siw Funds 1.315 TOTAL EXPENDITURE K4.1S3 27225 110.378 89,866 NET INCOMEIIEXPENDITUREI BEFORE REVALUAnON OF FIXED ASSErs 112.6&1 120.261 48,434 NET LOSS ON REVALUAnON -129) NET INCOMEIIEXPENDITUREI TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS 378 112. 119.011 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 6378 112. 119.011 Totsl funds èrrAWt ftsiY*d 11 141762 126,4NJ 269.212 1&12 149.140 269,212 17 PAROCHiAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST.KqARTIN-OF-TOUR. CHELSFIELD BALANCE SHEEf AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 FIXED A8SETS Tangib￿ [￿ed &*%ets 71al 46.401 47,851 Invests)￿lS 7(b) 46.401 47,651 CURREt4T ASSErs 25,182 8.39B Short tern dep￿115 415,592 288,798 Cash at aThl in h*KI 21.674 133.775 1&9 I￿.626 712,214 NET CURRENfASSEfs I IUABIUnESI 341 221.561 TOTAL ASSEfs LESS CURREMf LIABILMES 269,212 rAe&rt￿3.a￿￿￿ts tsfing th￿after0r￿yaar TOTAL ￿￿ET$ 269,212 PARISH FUND8 Unre5thct& 10 149.140 142,762 Restricted 10 9.083 126. (Chaim￿nI.. Note l_ 18 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OFST MARTIN OF TOURS. CHELSFIELD IOTES TO ThE FINANCIAL STATEIIEPWS forthe ywend•d 31 Decernbgr 2023 1 ACCOUNTING POUCIES The PCC is a public benefit sntrty within the rTwning ol FRS102. The finarrial staterr*nts have been prepared under the Charibes Act 2011 arKI in accordance vfith ￿ Churth knUnItr￿ Regulatms 2(K)6 govemFng the indiwdu81 aco)unts ￿ PCCS. and the lJue arKI fair pmwsiOr￿. They are also prepa und8r FRS102 1201gi as tho appli(%Ne standards 8nd the 2019 ver5tsJn rf the Statemont of Re(XHnrrnThj￿1 PractKe, ACCO￿thr￿j and RepMirtiThJ by Clwities ISORP(FRS102111 ASSETS Consecrated and benefi￿ of any kJ"r¥J r6 exdLMknJ fri¥m the 5tatulory defin￿on of "d￿ri￿ by Secli( 1012) la} and Icl of Ihe Charilies Act 2011 aThJ a558ts are not in the financial Stster￿)ts. Tangible fix•d assets for use by charity An impairment rewew is Carri￿ out at w-eThJ and aly rnsuR8nt kJss *Jenlif*d irKauded in the ex￿ndit￿re for Ihe yèar. Freehold laThl - "LaThJers Fle￿- is a 0.18 aLY•S pl￿ of laThJ preYKMtsty used as an overtl(yw car park. valued 8$ fallow agricU￿ra1 L•)d. Th8 trust￿ have rèvi**•Y ts yaluatv￿ ￿ crns•Jer a fairNBIu8 to be £1.0￿. Parish Room this FS 38.3% owned by th8 PCC, vith Ihe balarre cmmed by Ihe Diocese. It is leasehold propariy wrth 44 years of a 99 year leasè still to for a pep￿￿ rent. It W& V8lu•Y at £45,500 ir7 2015. It has rKJt yèt been [rt)s%￿a to ithin guwlanca IFt>m the D*)cese ￿8t a fair OFen mark8t value attrilxrtable to the PCC sFk)uld be. Until this 15 d&emMF*d. the value sfrThiThJ in ha5 ts9￿ hehj at the 2015 value. Othér tan le fixed as5 a￿ casitslis*l * cost rf ober £1.tJM) and have a U￿fvI life of rn than one year. donated, they are capitaliwl * a reasonablè 85tirrth of OF￿ maket value at the datè of receipt. D9precia￿.on is (xlwlated to ￿lte off ￿maIlI•j of fixed assets * thwr oJfTenlly ants"eApa￿ residual fair value over their èsbm*ed Lwful INOS as W¢J¥s'. Freehokj L4yJ Fixtures & FrtbrwJs 20 yea Short terni deptssits Cash balan(xs are held on term ¢Yep0￿.1 ￿lIh the Dmxese and * the ban Uablliti•$ Amounts falllng due V*Tthin one ytrar irK4tMle ts sum of £109.597. ￿1c* (epre5erts a legacy. wlth acculnulated interest, P8id to the parish in error by the exwtors of the teststorfs Wll. This sum, any further earr￿d intere￿. will bè paid to the Intend￿ the DKMxsan habp •jre￿ arran￿ for its retum. FUNDS Unrestri¢ted Funds These repr8sent the ￿MaFnIng inrjyre fuThJs of th8 PCC Ihat are aYdiLgblg for SFeThthng on the general purposes of the PCC. induding amourhts desbjnated by lh8 PCC for SFeThJirKJ on a futu￿ woiect. Any such designated funds are t irK#uded in Iree reser¥e5' as disckwl in the tntstees. Restrlcted Funds These are funds that must be SFent on sp￿￿fiC purFQS&8 as defined by the d(wr ry at the outsèt oftuThknising. Dètails of the iThJtvidu81 restric￿ fund5 hekl are shown in notes to the acoJunts. Endowment Fund$ There are no endowmoni fiJrKI& 19 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST.KWJnts f41ity *illMB L8ga¢y 1wv￿j in error to r8uv￿Y. (See We w 31 109.597 1￿.626 104.988 112.214 Am(￿￿ fslling due afterfft yew (Ur¥85￿ tUKtsI 23 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF sT.mARTI￿F-TOuR. CHELSFIELD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEMfs FOrthe￿ 31 tkn*w2023 10 FUNDS 11 SUIAMARY OF FUND IAOVEMEpirs Churrhyanl Ch•rlU Balance at 1 Janw 20YJ 63262 10.324 116.953 -14.748 52,524 6.797 -1.521 321 10,698 -10, iEiween fu￿15 Bal￿Ge at 31 De(¥rthw20rJ 111529 Balance at 1 142.762 .781 -83.153 126.4 139.858 269.212 -110.378 Transfer bthew fvnds Balance at 31 Decerrt)w 21123 149.14• 3B8223 12 SUMMARY OF ASSETS BY FUND TOTPL 2023 Tangible Asset5 Current Assets (Seern*e￿ 3J L*abiliti8s Amounts fallwMJ (k* in one)wlsee Amounts falling (k* Fund bala￿e 46.401 462.448 -120.628 -120.626 149.140 388223 24 The Church's trustees are reswnsible for the t*eparati(￿ olthe &¢ounts in a(xordan¢e wlth the fequirements of the Charit*s Art 20111lhe ACY). I report in respettof my examination ofthe ChurcKs accourts orried out under sectKin 145 of the 2011 Act and In carrying ¢xrt my examinatiLYh I have foll￿ed all the applicable Dsrection5 8i¥en by the Charity Commisson under sedion 14515llbl ofthe I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have corne to my attentton In connection with the examination giving cause to belith* that in any material respert: L Accountlng records We￿ not kept as required ￿ section ￿00fthe P£t; or 2. The attounts do Th)t *cord wtth those record5,' or 3. The accounts do not compty wtth the apFdicable requirements concemingthÈ form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2Crf)8 other than any requirement that the ￿CoUnts give a true and fair vi* which is not a matter considered as part of an indèpendent examination. Entries relating to a contested legacy ha¥e been hanthed in accordance *ith a(fvKe from legal expert5 and are exduded froffl the charity frjnds until the issue ￿ re501ved. I have no concerns at#)ut the handliry ofthis contested *acy and have come across no other rnatters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this rewrt in i>rder to enable a proper understsnding of the accourts to be rethed. Slgned: O J Lewis 46 Sutherland Avenue Petts Wood Kent BR5 IRB 19 March 2024 25