THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF
HARPENDEN ST JOHN
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 DECEMBER 2024
| CONTENTS | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Trustees’ report | 2 |
| Independent examiner's report | 8 |
| Statement of financial activities | 9 |
| Balance sheet | 10 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 11 – 19 |
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Harpenden St John is registered with the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales (Charity no. 1131603)
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The Trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and 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 published in October 2019.
Aims and purposes
St John’s Parochial Church Council (“the PCC”) has the responsibility of promoting the whole mission of the Church within the ecclesiastical parish: pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also responsible for the maintenance of the Parish Hall.
The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and become part of our church community at St John’s. The Ministry Team, in conjunction with the PCC, maintains an overview of worship and makes suggestions on how our worship 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.
As trustees of a registered charity, the PCC must report each year on how we have carried out our charity’s purposes for the public benefit, which we set out in this trustees’ report. We consider that we have complied with our duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on the meaning and scope of “public benefit”, when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.
When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We try to enable parishioners to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:
-
worship and prayer; learning about the gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus Christ, the crucified and glorified Lord
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provision and pastoral care for people living in the parish
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missionary and outreach work.
To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church of St John the Baptist and the Parish Hall.
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (continued)
Achievements and performance
Worship and prayer
The PCC is keen to offer a wide range of services during the week and over the course of the year that our community may find both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling. In addition to our main 9.30 Parish Eucharist on a Sunday, which we continue to livestream for the benefit of those unable to attend in person, we offer Common Worship Morning Prayer Monday to Friday, and a weekly midweek communion. We began a pattern of services each month at 5pm on a Sunday to offer variety: Faith and Light (non-denominational worship for adults with special educational needs); Book of Common Prayer Evensong; Celtic Evening Prayer; a said Eucharist; a Taizé service.
This year we have been able to welcome more new families to our church, and this is an important part of our vision. We offer an All-Age Worship on the first Sunday of the month; Junior and Mini Church has been taking place on the second and fourth Sundays of the month and is well attended. We have a toddler service on Thursday mornings, which attracts 5-10 toddlers and parents each week.
Aside from our regular services, we also held several important annual services. In June we welcomed Archdeacon Charles Hudson to preach at our Patronal Eucharist, celebrating the Birth of John the Baptist.
In October, we held our annual Harvest Festival, joined by local Brownies and Rainbows, and also celebrated Black History Month.
The church is normally open daily from 10am to 5pm.
The PCC seeks to ensure that all are welcomed at our regular services. At present we have 142 members on the Church Electoral Roll, 96 of whom are resident in the Parish and 46 of whom have stated their eligibility is due to six months or more habitual worship. Since the previously reported number of 175, 6 members have died, 1 resigned, 51 were removed (either being no longer eligible or because they did not renew) and 25 were added.
In addition to our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the amazing gift of life, in marriage services public vows are exchanged with God’s blessing and through funeral services family and friends express their deep sorrow but also give thanks for the life which is now completed and commend the person into the gracious hands of God. During the year, there were no weddings (but one renewal of vows), 19 baptisms, 8 funerals in church and 2 at the crematorium, 1 memorial service, and 4 burials of ashes.
During 2024 we also admitted a total of 8 young people to their First Communion. In November we welcomed Bishop Stephen Venner to confirm five members of our congregation in a special service.
We have encouraged members of the congregation to deepen their relationship with God in a variety of ways. We ran a Lent course and have held short study courses on different books in the Bible, which has been well attended. In Advent we held an Advent Book Club.
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (continued)
Use of the church
During this year, the PCC has been considering how to make best use of our beautiful building. We continue to use both our High Altar and nave altar for worship. During the coming year we will be continuing to explore how best to use that space.
There are several challenges for us in the coming year in relation to the building. We need to consider our use of the sanctuary and how we use the space in the church more generally: the sound system is in need of an upgrade; one of our two boilers has failed; repairs are needed to the church porch. The PCC is keen for the church to be kept open for personal prayer and is also delighted to see it used for musical events. We were able to welcome back regular hirers of the church for concerts, including Roundwood Park School, Hardynge Choir, Sonorité and Continuum and the AT Society. Many events are already booked for 2025, highlighting the church’s use as a good resource for the community.
Music
The PCC was delighted to be able to appoint Matt Harrison as our Director of Music in September. Matt had been playing the organ for us for some time and has now started to build up our adult and junior choirs.
The parish hall
The hall continued to be used during the year for both regular and one-off hirers. Fusion Pre-School have been the main tenants in the Hall on weekdays 8-2pm. Harpenden Musical Theatre Society found a new home during the year. Little Acorns, our baby and toddler group which meets on Tuesdays, continues to grow, and the other regular hirer is the Dance Studio. We also have two Rainbow and Brownie groups who meet in the hall on a Thursday and two new groups that joined us in September and meet on a Tuesday.
During the year, we revisited our plans to redevelop our hall into a parish centre (Project Phoenix). This project was launched a few weeks before the Covid lockdown, and we recognised that Covid had a significant impact, not only on our fundraising but also on the way the congregation now interacts with church; furthermore, the costs of the build have increased and it has proved difficult to secure further pledges. We have concluded that it is not going to be possible to achieve our original vision. However, we are committed to providing a safe and welcoming space for all our hall users – including the congregation – with good kitchen and toilet facilities and adequate storage space. So we are exploring options to redevelop and extend our existing hall, using the £500,000 that has been pledged already, as a basis for further fundraising.
Mission Action Plan
Our Mission Action Plan provides our priorities as a parish. We have 5 areas for development:
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Building up the community life of St John’s
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Stewardship and giving
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Children and young people
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Welcome and invitation
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Deepening discipleship
Further information on our Mission Action Plan SMART goals can be found at:
https://resource.stalbansdiocese.org/maps/?id=4683#mapview
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (continued)
Pastoral care
We have a team of pastoral visitors who are able to visit those in need, with some authorised to give Communion. St Luke’s Cell is a prayer group, which prays for individuals in any kind of need.
Charitable giving
Helping those in need is a demonstration of our faith, and the PCC donates a part of its stewardship income each year to charities: one local, one national and one international. For 2024 the charities chosen are Rennie Grove, Alzheimer's Society and Mercy Ships. We will also be giving a second year donation to Mind in Mid Herts.
In addition, our Christmas Appeal in 2024 raised £2,200 for the work of the Anglican Cathedral in Lima.
Outreach
A large number of group activities take place at St John’s, led by volunteers with both talent and commitment. These provide a range of services to benefit members of the congregation and the wider parish community. Details of these activities can be found on our website.
We run a very successful monthly Tea@3 event, which provides tea and companionship to a number of people, especially the elderly and lonely, in the parish.
We publish a free quarterly parish magazine which is available online and distributed to every home and business within the parish. This publicises our church service times and forthcoming events; the aim is to attract and inform readers in Southdown who are not regular churchgoers about what is going on locally as well at church, whilst also appealing to our congregation. We also communicate news and events to 247 members of the congregation via a weekly e-newsletter.
Ecumenical relations
St John’s is a member of Churches Together in Harpenden and our ministers attend monthly church leaders meetings.
Financial Review
Total income during 2024 was £297,436 (2023: £278,012), an increase of £19,424 or 7.0% compared to the prior year. This increase was mainly due to increased interest income and a legacy (£15k). Excluding the Parish Centre, income increased by £20,547 or 11% to £207,814 (2023: £187,267).
Total expenditure during 2024 reduced by £22,473 or 10% to £199,716 (2023: £222,189). The largest item of expenditure was the parish share of £91,757 (2023 £95,319). The reduction was mainly due to the hall roof repair in 2023.
Our planned missionary giving of 10% of our voluntary income to outside charities in 2024 decreased by 9% to £13,341 (2023: £14,679).
The net of total income and total expenditure for 2024 was a surplus of £97,720 (2023: £55,823). The new Parish Centre had a surplus of £87,501 (2023: £75,945), with the general fund generating a deficit of £9,592 (2023: deficit of £34,902) and the designated fund surplus of £19,811 (2023: deficit of £20).
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (continued)
As a result of the net surplus, total net assets as at 31 December 2024 of £645,965 are £97,720 higher than total net assets as at 1 January 2024 of £548,245. Total net assets are represented by general, designated, and restricted funds.
General funds decreased by £4,350 from £20,841 as at 1 January 2024 to £16,491 as at 31 December 2024. This represents around 1 month of ongoing expenditure.
Designated funds increased by £11,569 from £164,450 as at 1 January 2024 to £176,019 as at 31 December 2024, mainly due to receiving a legacy payment.
Restricted funds increased by £90,501 from £362,954 as at 1 January 2024 to £453,455 as at 31 December 2024, due principally to donations received for the Parish Centre.
Outlook for the future
The financial position of the PCC as at 31 December 2024 shows the need for substantial improvement towards reducing the underlying structural deficit noted previously.
The trustees consider that the PCC is a going concern as at the date of approving the 2024 accounts. This is based on considering the level of funds held, the breadth and financial position of its donor base, known or anticipated future changes to either income or expenditure, and planned future capital projects. The PCC will prepare a budget for 2025 which will anticipate further improvements in the underlying deficit. Separately, plans to raise funds for capital projects such as the church porch, re-ordering, a new boiler and an improved sound system will need to be made and prioritised. In all of this, the PCC needs to ensure that the reserves are gradually rebuilt.
Reserves policy
The PCC seeks to operate on a balanced budget basis but periodically sets aside such amounts as it deems prudent to meet anticipated abnormal expenditure. Such amounts are held in designated funds and are represented by bank balances and accounts receivable within the general assets of the PCC. It is the policy of the PCC to hold in general reserves at least the equivalent amount of two months of general running costs, which is currently approximately £33,000. The PCC is aware that as at 31 December 2024 this had fallen to £16,491 and that work is needed to restore the deficit.
Structure, governance and management of the PCC
The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England. It operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure and is a registered charity. The appointment of PCC members is governed by and set out in the Church Representation Rules. All members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. Certain members of the PCC are allocated specific responsibility for some of the matters which affect the parish, e.g., Safeguarding. These individuals attend appropriate training courses provided by the Diocese where necessary and report back to the PCC as a body.
The PCC met five times in 2024 and attendance at meetings was 83% of the maximum possible number of 13.
Prior to each PCC meeting, a Standing Committee (comprising the incumbent, curate, one co-opted member of PCC, Treasurer and Secretary) meets to draw up the agenda of items to be discussed.
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (continued)
At its meetings this year, the PCC has carried out the necessary formalities such as appointing its officers and reviewing its committee structure. Alison Bygrave was appointed as Treasurer in September. There continues to be a focus on safeguarding and all members of the PCC have undertaken the required level of training as provided by the Diocese. The Safeguarding and Health & Safety policies have been reviewed and updated where necessary.
The PCC devolves some of its work to teams, and all members of the PCC, as well as further members of the congregation with particular skills or interests, are invited to sit on those teams, which meet on a regular basis (or liaise electronically). The current teams are Eco-church and Junior Church. Three members of the PCC sit on the Deanery Synod providing an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the Church of England.
Approximately a week before a meeting, all PCC members receive the agenda, reports from any groups that have met since the last meeting and any briefing documents for items under discussion. Within two weeks of a PCC meeting, minutes of that meeting are circulated to all members. These minutes go on public display on the noticeboard in the porch, once they have been formally approved at the following PCC meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
St John’s Church is situated on St John’s Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire. It is part of the Diocese of St. Albans within the Church of England.
The PCC can be contacted at: St John’s Parish offices, St John’s Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 1DJ.
The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and a charity registered with the Charity Commission, number 1131603.
PCC members who have served from 1 January 2024 until the date this report was approved are:
Vicar Council members Tim Vickers Andrew Ballard (co-opted) Stuart Burnett (from May) Curate Sophie Crowley Ritah Namakula Mary Hoare (from May) Christine Kenyon (from May) Readers Alistair Meldrum Lauryn Awbrey (also Deanery Synod) Liz Macdonald Anne Edwards Nick Luckett (co-opted) David Nye (also Deanery Synod) Churchwardens Secretary Vacant Mary Jean Pritchard Treasurer Alison Bygrave (from September) (also Deanery Synod)
The Trustees Report was approved by the PCC on 4[th] May 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Rev Tim Vickers - Incumbent
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE PCC OF ST JOHN HARPENDEN
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 9 to 19.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the PCC’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
Your attention is to drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the accounts (financial statements) in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has since been withdrawn.
We understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.
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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the PCC as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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the financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.
Roger Cox FCA (ICAEW)
Miller & Co Chartered Accountants 5 Imperial Court Laporte Way Luton LU4 8FE
Date: May 2025
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Note INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from generated funds: Voluntary income 2 Activities for generating funds 3 Investment income 4 Incoming resources from church activities 5 Total incoming resources RESOURCES EXPENDED Cost of church activities Missionary Giving 6 Parish Share 6 Fabric and Running Costs 6 Mission & Education 6 Staff Costs 6 Other costs 6 Total resources expended Net income/(expenditure) for year Transfers between funds Net movement in funds RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds at 1 Jan 2024 Total funds at 31 Dec 2024 |
Unrestricted Funds General Designated £ £ 138,776 15,675 26,125 615 10,609 3,189 175,510 19,479 11,871 955 187,381 20,434 16,596 - 91,757 - 36,364 - 5,644 535 30,049 - 16,563 88 196,973 623 (9,592) 19,811 5,242 (8,242) (4,350) 11,569 20,841 164,450 16,491 176,019 |
Restricted Funds £ 79,061 - 10,560 89,621 - 89,621 - - - - - 2,120 2,120 87,501 3,000 90,501 362,954 453,455 |
TOTAL 2024 £ 233,512 26,740 24,358 284,610 12,825 297,436 16,596 91,757 36,364 6,179 30,049 18,771 199,716 97,720 - 97,720 548,245 645,965 |
2023 (Note 18) £ 238,987 24,101 6,135 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 269,223 8,789 |
||||
| 278,012 | ||||
| 16,125 95,319 67,214 8,685 23,272 11,574 |
||||
| 222,189 | ||||
| 55,823 - |
||||
| 55,823 492,422 548,245 |
The notes on pages 11 to 19 form part of these financial statements.
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 9 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 10 Bank and cash balances CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors payable within one year 11 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL NET ASSETS THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Unrestricted income funds: General 12 Designated 13 Total Restricted income funds: 15 |
2024 £ 63,888 11,260 589,803 |
2023 £ 63,888 61,706 466,542 |
|---|---|---|
| 601,063 (18,986) 582,077 645,965 16,491 176,019 |
528,248 (43,891) |
|
| 484,357 | ||
| 548,245 | ||
| 20,841 164,450 |
||
| 192,510 453,455 645,965 |
185,291 362,954 548,245 |
The financial statements were approved by the Parochial Church Council on 4[th] May 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Rev Tim Vickers - Incumbent
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparation
The PCC constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following the 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 issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.
The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England. It operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure and is a registered charity. The address of the registered office is given in the administrative details section of the trustees’ report. The financial statements are presented in pounds sterling and rounded to the nearest pound.
These financial statements are prepared on the basis of the PCC being a going concern. The trustees make their own assessment of the PCC’s ability to continue as a going concern to assure themselves of the validity of this assumption when preparing accounts. In making this assessment, the trustees take into account all available information about the future for at least, but not limited to, 12 months from the date the accounts are approved. There are no material uncertainties about the PCC’s ability to continue. In addition, as at the date of approval of these accounts, there are no contractual commitments in relation to the new Parish Centre, and its development will be conditional on successful fundraising.
Funds
Unrestricted funds represent the remaining income funds of the PCC that are available for spending on the general purposes of the PCC, including amounts designated by the PCC for fixed assets for its own use or for spending on a future project and which are therefore not included in its general reserves as disclosed in the trustees’ report.
Restricted funds represent income funds that must be spent on restricted purposes and details of the funds held and restrictions provided are shown in the notes to the accounts.
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Incoming resources
Income and endowments are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:
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the PCC becomes legally entitled to the use of the resources;
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and inflow of economic benefit is probable; and
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the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Planned giving, collections and donations are therefore generally recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming resource to which they relate is received.
Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due.
Rental income from the letting of the church, the church hall, and the property in Linwood Road is recognised when the rental is due.
Interest income is accrued.
All other income is recognised when it is receivable.
Resources expended
All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross.
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation and settlement is probable and quantifiable.
The diocesan parish share is accounted for when due.
Fixed assets
Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts in accordance with s.10 (2) (a) of the Charities Act 2011. Movable church furnishings held by the vicar and churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property, listed in the church’s inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). Such assets are not valued in the financial statements. All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or benefice buildings and moveable church furnishings, whether maintenance or improvement, is written off as expenditure in the statement of financial activities.
The Church Hall has been fully depreciated, however as it is still in use and is providing economic benefit through rental income it has been retained on the balance sheet but with a valuation of £nil.
The Linwood Road property is held at cost. The land element of the property is not depreciated in accordance with the applicable financial reporting standards. Whilst buildings are ordinarily depreciated, no depreciation is provided on the building element of the property as the current estimated residual value of the property is not less than its carrying amount and the remaining useful life of the property currently exceeds 50 years, and therefore any depreciation charge would be immaterial.
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
At each reporting date an assessment is carried out of whether there is any indication that an asset should be written down (i.e. whether the carrying amount on the balance sheet is more than its recoverable amount). If there is no indication that an asset should be written down, it is not necessary to estimate the recoverable amount.
Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year
Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.
| Unrestricted Funds General Designated £ £ 2 VOLUNTARY INCOME Planned Giving: Gift Aid donations 104,237 - Tax recoverable 16,953 - Non gift aid donations 4,086 - Collections (open plate) 6,731 - Tax recoverable on collections 1,407 - Grants - - Donations, appeals etc. 5,362 675 Legacies - 15,000 Parish Centre fundraising - - Tax recoverable on Parish Centre funds - - 138,776 15,675 3 ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATING FUNDS Church Hall lettings (non-church activities) 25,382 - Fundraising Events - 615 Other funds generated 590 - Linwood Road property rental income 153 - 26,125 615 4 INVESTMENT INCOME Bank interest 10,609 3,189 10,609 3,189 5 INCOME FROM CHURCH ACTIVITIES Income from Social events 2,118 955 Parish Magazine advertising 4,303 - Fees for Weddings & Funerals 5,449 - 11,871 955 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - 65,693 13,368 79,061 - - - - - 10,560 10,560 - - - - |
TOTAL 2024 £ 104,237 16,953 4,086 6,731 1,407 - 6,037 15,000 65,693 13,368 233,512 25,382 615 590 153 26,740 24,358 24,358 3,073 4,303 5,449 12,825 |
TOTAL 2023 £ 108,247 24,162 14,390 - - 14,800 1,443 - 62,288 13,657 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 238,987 | |||
| 18,194 113 - 5,794 |
|||
| 24,101 | |||
| 6,135 | |||
| 6,135 | |||
| 3,420 1,675 3,694 8,789 |
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Unrestricted Funds | Unrestricted Funds | Restricted | TOTAL | TOTAL | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Designated | Funds | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||
| 6 | COSTS OF CHURCH ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Missionary and Charitable giving (also see note 8) | Missionary and Charitable giving (also see note 8) | ||||||||
| Relief and development agencies | 16,596 | - | - | 16,596 | 16,125 | ||||
| 16,596 | - | - | 16,596 | 16,125 | |||||
| Parish share | 91,757 | - | - | 91,757 | 95,319 | ||||
| Fabric and running costs: | |||||||||
| Church running costs | 9,571 | - | - | 9,571 | 12,699 | ||||
| Church maintenance | 2,320 | - | - | 2,320 | 2,926 | ||||
| Organ/piano tuning & maint. | 870 | - | - | 870 | 965 | ||||
| Grounds upkeep | 2,360 | - | - | 2,360 | 2,360 | 370 | |||
| Hall running costs | 6,486 | - | - | 6,486 | 6,617 | ||||
| Hall maintenance | 4,672 | - | - | 4,672 | 30,739 | ||||
| Vicarage running costs | 109 | - | - | 109 | 2,878 | ||||
| Linwood Road property upkeep | 819 | - | - | 819 | 1,757 | ||||
| Upkeep of services | 1,346 | - | - | 1,346 | 4,666 | ||||
| Parish Office Admin Costs | 7,810 | - | - | 7,810 | 3,597 | ||||
| 36,364 | - | - | 36,364 | 67,214 | |||||
| Mission & Education: | |||||||||
| Parish magazine | 5,644 | - | - | 5,644 | 6,362 | ||||
| Education | - | 535 | - | 535 | 2,323 | ||||
| 5,644 | 535 | - | 6,179 | 8,685 | |||||
| Staff Costs: | |||||||||
| Working expenses of incumbent | Working expenses of incumbent | 4,227 | - | - | 4,227 | 4,478 | |||
| Wages and salaries | Note7 | 25,822 | - | - | 25,822 | 18,794 | |||
| 30,049 | - | - | 30,049 | 23,272 | |||||
| Other costs: | |||||||||
| Flower Guild expenditure | - | - | - | - | 20 | ||||
| Promotional and communications | 544 | - | - | 544 | - | ||||
| Sundry expenses | 6,359 | 88 | - | 6,447 | 2,861 | ||||
| Wedding & funeral fees to Diocese | 2,107 | - | - | 2,107 | 1,181 | ||||
| Wedding & funeral fees – other | 4,868 | - | - | 4,868 | 3,280 | ||||
| Costs of fund-raising | - | - | 2,120 | 2,120 | 173 | ||||
| Bank charges | 528 | - | - | 528 | 66 | ||||
| Social events | 734 | - | - | **734 ** | 2,331 | ||||
| Independent examiners fee: | |||||||||
| Independent examination | 1,050 | - | - | 1,050 | 948 | ||||
| Accountancy | 372 | - | - | 372 | 714 | ||||
| 16,563 | 88 | 2,120 | 18,771 | 11,574 |
14
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 7 | STAFF COSTS | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||||||
| Wages and salaries | 23,667 | 17,220 | |||||
| Social security costs | 1,637 | 1,196 | |||||
| Pension | 518 | 378 | |||||
| 25,822 | 18,794 | ||||||
| The average number of staff employed was 2 (2023: 2) | |||||||
| There are no employees who received employee benefits of more than £60,000 (2023: none) | There are no employees who received employee benefits of more than £60,000 (2023: none) | ||||||
| 8 | MISSIONARY AND CHARITABLE GIVING | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| The missionary and charitable giving is made up of the following donations | £ | £ | |||||
| Relief and development agencies | |||||||
| Accrual for 2024 Charitable Giving | 13,341 | 14,679 | |||||
| Harvest Appeal | 450 | 450 | 680 | ||||
| Christmas Appeal – Anglican Church in Lima | 2,200 | - | |||||
| Other | 605 | 605 | 766 | ||||
| 16,596 | 16,125 | ||||||
| 9 | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | Linwood | Church | Church | TOTAL | ||
| Road | Hall | ||||||
| property | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Actual/ deemed cost: | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Brought forward at 1 January | 63,888 | 48,299 | 112,187 | 112,187 | |||
| Carried forward 31 December | 63,888 | 48,299 | 112,187 | 112,187 | |||
| Depreciation: | |||||||
| Brought forward at 1 January | - | (48,299) | (48,299) | (48,299) | |||
| Charge for year | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Carried forward 31 December | - | (48,299) | (48,299) | (48,299) | |||
| Carrying value at 31 December | 63,888 | - | - | 63,888 | 63,888 |
The Curate's House at 2 Linwood Road was independently valued on 2 March 2010 at £380,000
| 10 | DEBTORS | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Gift Aid Tax recoverable | 5,301 | 46,906 | |
| Prepayments and accrued income | 5,959 | 14,800 | |
| 11,260 | 61,706 |
15
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 11 CREDITORS Outside giving Accruals and deferred income Other creditors 12 GENERAL FUNDS Brought forward at 1 January Transfer from Designated fund Transfer to Restricted fund Net income / (expenditure) for year Carried forward at 31 December 13 DESIGNATED FUNDS The PCC operates seven Designated Funds: Parish Centre Organ - Reserve to fund future organ repairs Legacies - Legacies received and spent Music at St John’s Children’s work Fabric reserve Linwood Road property |
2024 £ 15,541 3,445 - 18,986 2024 £ 20,841 8,242 (3,000) (9,592) 16,491 2024 £ 6,988 21,045 66,966 527 420 16,185 63,888 176,019 |
2023 £ 14,679 28,446 766 |
|---|---|---|
| 43,891 | ||
| 2023 £ 40,766 177 14,800 (34,902) |
||
| 20,841 | ||
| 2023 £ 6,988 21,045 48,777 - - 23,752 63,888 |
||
| 164,450 |
The movements on the Designated Funds during 2024 were as follows:
| Brought forward at 1 Jan 2024 Income Expenditure Carried forward at 31 Dec 2024 Brought forward at 1 Jan 2024 Income Expenditure Transfer to general fund Carried forward at 31 Dec 2024 |
Parish Centre £ 6,988 - - 6,988 Children £ - 955 (535) - 420 |
Organ £ 21,045 - - 21,045 Fabric £ 23,752 675 - (8,242) 16,185 |
Legacies £ 48,777 18,189 - 66,966 Linwood Road property £ 63,888 - - - 63,888 |
Music £ - 615 (88) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 527 | ||||
| TOTAL 2024 £ 164,450 20,434 (623) (8,242) 176,019 |
16
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
13 DESIGNATED FUNDS (continued)
The movements on the Designated Funds during 2023 were as follows:
| Brought forward at 1 Jan 2023 Income Expenditure Transfer to General fund Carried forward at 31 Dec 2023 Brought forward at 1 Jan 2023 Income Expenditure Transfer to General fund Carried forward at 31 Dec 2023 |
Parish Centre £ 6,988 - - - 6,988 |
Organ £ 21,045 - - - 21,045 Fabric £ 23,752 - - - 23,752 |
Legacies £ 48,777 - - - 48,777 Linwood Road property £ 63,888 - - - 63,888 |
Flower Guild £ 197 - (20) (177) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | ||||
| TOTAL 2023 £ 164,647 - (20) (177) 164,450 |
Fund descriptions:
Parish Centre – for the build of a new parish hall/parish centre, replacing the current hall. Organ – for the replacement or repair of the organ that is in place in the church.
Legacies – being receipts from legacies where no restrictions apply that the PCC designates for the purpose of paying for items of a capital nature.
Fabric – for repairs to the fabric of the church building.
14 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
| Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Total Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Total |
Unrestricted funds £ - 35,477 (18,986) 16,491 Unrestricted funds £ - 64,732 (43,891) 20,841 |
Designated funds £ 63,888 112,131 - 176,019 Designated funds £ 63,888 100,562 - 164,650 |
Restricted funds £ - 453,455 - 453,455 Restricted funds £ - 362,954 - 362,954 |
TOTAL 2024 £ 63,888 601,063 (18,986) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 645,965 | ||||
| TOTAL 2023 £ 63,888 528,248 (43,891) 548,245 |
17
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
15 RESTRICTED FUNDS
| Parish Centre Choir Fund Education Fund |
2024 £ 448,807 3,671 977 453,455 |
2023 £ 358,306 3,671 977 |
|---|---|---|
| 362,954 |
The movements on the Restricted Funds during 2024 were as follows:
| Brought forward at 1 January 2024 Voluntary Income Expenditure Transfer from general fund Carried forward at 31 December 2024 |
Parish centre £ 358,306 89,621 (2,120) 3,000 448,807 |
Education Fund £ 977 - - - 977 |
Choir Fund £ 3,671 - - - 3,671 |
TOTAL 2024 £ 362,954 89,621 (2,120) 3,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 453,455 |
The movements on the Restricted Funds during 2023 were as follows:
| Brought forward at 1 January 2023 Voluntary Income Expenditure Transfer to general fund Carried forward at 31 December 2023 |
Fabric - 14,800 (14,800) - |
Parish centre £ 282,361 75,945 - - 358,306 |
Education Fund £ 977 - - - 977 |
Choir Fund £ 3,671 - - - 3,671 |
TOTAL 2023 £ 287,009 90,745 - (14,800) 362,954 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The PCC accounts include certain Restricted Funds, where the monies can only be used for the specific purpose for which they were entrusted to the PCC. These monies are not at the disposal of the PCC for any other purpose.
Fund descriptions:
Parish Centre – for the build of a new parish hall/parish centre, replacing the current hall.
16 PAYMENTS TO TRUSTEES
No PCC members received remuneration (2023: £nil). Members of the Ministry Team who were also members of the PCC were reimbursed working expenses, relating primarily to travel expenses, totalling £nil (2023 nil).
17 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
There were no related party transactions in the year (2023: £nil).
18
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HARPENDEN ST JOHN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
18 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Note INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from generated funds: Voluntary income 2 Activities for generating funds 3 Investment income 4 Incoming resources from church activities 5 Total incoming resources RESOURCES EXPENDED Cost of church activities Missionary Giving 6 Parish Share 6 Fabric and Running Costs 6 Mission & Education 6 Staff Costs 6 Other costs 6 Total resources expended Net income/(expenditure) for year Transfers between funds Net movement in funds RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds at 1 Jan 2023 Total funds at 31 Dec 2023 |
Unrestricted Funds General Designated £ £ 148,242 - 24,101 - 6,135 - 178,478 - 8,789 - 187,267 - 16,125 - 95,319 - 67,214 - 8,685 - 23,272 - 11,554 20 222,169 20 (34,902) (20) 14,977 (177) (19,925) (197) 40,766 164,647 20,841 164,450 |
Restricted Funds £ 90,745 - - 90,745 - 90,745 - - - - - - - 90,745 (14,800) 75,945 287,009 362,954 |
TOTAL 2023 £ 238,987 24,101 6,135 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 269,223 8,789 |
|||
| 278,012 | |||
| 16,125 95,319 67,214 8,685 23,272 11,574 |
|||
| 222,189 | |||
| 55,823 - |
|||
| 55,823 492,422 548,245 |
19