PARISH OF ARMLEY AND NEW WORTLEY ST. BARTHOLOMEW WITH ST. MARY OF BETHANY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PCC for the year 2023/24
The Parochial Church Council of St. Bartholomew with St. Mary of Bethany has responsibility of cooperating with the Churchwardens, during an interregnum, in promoting the ecclesiastical parish of Armley and New Wortley, the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelical, social; and ecumenical. It also has responsibility for the maintenance of the Church plant, including the organ and until the recent Sale of Land on 15[th] March 2024, the Church Hall, Wesley Road, Armley, Leeds LS12 1SR. Mission Statement for St. Bartholomew with St. Mary of Bethany, Parish of Armley and New Wortley:
To extend the Kingdom of Christ, by showing His love to all those with whom we come into contact.
Membership
Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (AGM) in accordance with the Church Representative Rules, but members can be co-opted during the year. During 2023/4 the following served as members of the PCC.
Vicar Vacancy Churchwarden s Mrs. T. Collins Lay Chair Mrs. E. Handley Elected Members Mr. J. Kaye PCC Treasurer & ACS Representative Prof. G. Barber PCC Secretary Mr. G. Whitehead Mr. B. Gaunt Mrs. H. Robinson Mrs. B. Slater Mr. Neil Nortcliffe Mr. Douglas Mabbutt
Committees
The PCC operates through a number of committees, which meet at different times to the PCC, these committees report back to the PCC.
Standing Committee This is the only committee required by law. It has the power to transact the business of the PCC between meetings, subject to any direction given by the full Council. The members of the Standing Committee 2023-2024 were: Mrs. T. Collins, Mr. J. Kaye, Mrs. E. Handley and Prof. G. Barber
Church Hall Management Committee: The PCC took on this role
Organ/Music Committee: The PCC took on this role
Stewardship recorder/Planned giving Mrs. T. Collins Electoral Roll Officer Mr. G. Whitehead Sunday School/Youth co-ordinator Mrs. S. Hearn Safeguarding Officer Mrs. H. Robinson Fundraising The PCC
Church Attendance:
Church & Zoom: Average Adult Attendance: 39 (Previous Year 33) Average Communicants: 33 (Previous Year 28) Average under 16 Attendances: 9 (Previous Year 5) Average under 3 Attendances: 1 (Previous Year 1)
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Review of the Year .
The PCC met on 10 occasions: 16th May, 13th June, 19[th] June (with Bishop Arun), 10[th] July, 19th September, 17th October, 5th December 2023; 9[th] January (Zoom), 6[th] February (Zoom) and 12th March 2024 (Zoom).
The year showed a continued increase in Sunday attendance after the restrictions imposed by Covid; the return to traditional forms of liturgical practice and observance are now fully re-established. Live streaming of the 10.00 a.m. Mass was tried out, but was suspended pending resolution of safeguarding issues and technical problems.
In the continued absence of a vicar, we were once again well-served by our loyal and dedicated team of Fr. Ian Cook and Fr. Ian White. As reported last year, a fourth attempt to recruit a 0.5 Priestin-Charge was made, but by the closing date of 15[th] May there had been no applications. At a meeting of the PCC with Bishop Arun on 19[th] June, 2023, it was decided not to pursue the matter with a fifth attempt to recruit, but rather to carry on for the time being without a Priest, but with the much-valued oversight of our voluntary team. The PCC nevertheless stressed the urgent need for pastoral support. The Bishop suggested possible collaboration with either Christ Church, Upper Armley, or with Leeds Minster. These proposals have so far come to nought, though there is a meeting about this with the Archdeacon scheduled for 22[nd] April.
Beside the normal Festivals (Advent, Christmas, Easter, Whitsun etc.) there were well-attended seasonal and special services involving the uniformed groups, including Remembrance Sunday, Christingle and Mothering Sunday. Thursday Said Mass at 10.00 a.m. followed by Coffee has continued throughout the year.
Apart from the normal church services, there was a full calendar of weddings and funerals, as well as Baptism services mostly held after Sunday Mass. Organ Recitals were held as usual on Bank Holiday Mondays, including one celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III. We also played a full part in the September Heritage Weeks. The PCC also organised the following successful fundraising events: a series of six Really Friendly Music Lunches, a Summer Fair, a Garden Party and a Christmas Market. Special thanks are extended to all those who organised and helped at these events in any way.
In line with C. of E. Safeguarding Policy, all members of the PCC have continued receiving training in Safeguarding via a programme of online courses during the year. They have also applied for and been granted Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring) clearance as required by their Trustee status. Mrs. Helen Robinson, who has been the Safeguarding Officer for St. Bart’s for three years is now stepping down. We owe her an enormous debt of gratitude for her unstinting dedication to the role.
During the year the sale of the Church Hall and the winding up of the Charitable Trust to which it is subject have continued to progress slowly. Finally, on Friday 15[th] March, 2024, the Sale of Land was completed, but sadly, not before the Church Hall was subject to an arson attack and burnt down. Members should note that, despite the housing development which will begin on the West side of Wesley road, the PCC retains the car parking lot on that side, which in turn gives access to the Scout Hut.
Financial Review
In 2023, voluntary receipts were disappointing low, apart from a welcome rise in Parish Giving Scheme income. In 2022, a number of significant restricted grants had been secured, which unfortunately, were not repeated last year, apart from a reduced grant from our local councillors’ discretionary fund. We did however receive £1,000 from Landsec towards the costs of a new community facility, £480 from the Asda Foundation for The Really Friendly Music Lunches and a
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further £120 via Leeds Inspired grants. Voluntary receipts were reduced by the loss of the Pilling Trust donation of £5,000 and the smaller number and value of legacies received.
The Really Friendly Music Lunches, the Summer Fair and Garden Party and the Christmas Market all helped to boost fundraising income. There was also a marked increase in the number of church weddings and funerals which significantly swelled receipts from PCC fees.
Total receipts of unrestricted income were £36,229, of which £25,132 was unrestricted voluntary donations, including the tax recovered on Gift Aid donations and on donations received under the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme. Restricted income of £4,487 was also received and is detailed in the financial statements.
Total payments were up by about 7% on last year, despite a reduced amount of diocesan Parish Share paid. In 2023, we were only able to pay £4,000 of the requested Share of £20,097, mainly as a result of the astronomic rise in fuel prices of nearly 250% experienced during the course of the year.
In an effort to extend the outreach of the church, there were an additional number of fundraising events (itemised above) and organ concerts in 2023. These contributed to a not-unexpected increase in fundraising costs.
Despite being closed for a number of years, the church hall still incurs a number of costs. Thankfully, its insurance was reduced to Property Owners Liability only early in 2023, resulting in significantly lower premiums.
2023 saw the church undergo its mandatory Quinquennial survey with its associated costs.
£37,219 was spent from unrestricted funds to provide the Christian ministry from S. Bartholomew, Armley with S. Mary of Bethany Church, including the contribution to the diocesan Parish Share, which largely provides the stipends and housing for the clergy. The net result for the year was a decrease of £989 on unrestricted funds. Adding bank and deposit balances brought forward at the beginning of the year, the balances carried forward at 31[st] . December on unrestricted funds totalled £1,830.
Reserves policy
It is PCC policy to try to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds that equates to at least three months’ unrestricted payments. This is equivalent to £9,300. It is held to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and to meet emergencies. The cash balance of £1,830 held on unrestricted funds at the year-end clearly does not meet this target.
The cash balance of £14,615 in restricted funds is retained towards meeting the cost of repairs, maintenance and upkeep of the Schulze organ, sanctuary floor mosaics, external west wall crucifix and general church fabric, expenditure on church flowers and the award of discretionary grants, as well as unspent restricted grant income.
It is our policy to invest investment fund balances with the CCLA Church of England Investment Fund.
Graham Barber, PCC Hon. Secretary Jon.R.Kaye, PCC Hon. Treasurer
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| New Wortley The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Bartholomew, Armley with St. Mary |
New Wortley The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Bartholomew, Armley with St. Mary |
New Wortley The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Bartholomew, Armley with St. Mary |
New Wortley The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Bartholomew, Armley with St. Mary |
New Wortley The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Bartholomew, Armley with St. Mary |
No. 1131632 |
No. 1131632 |
No. 1131632 |
CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the period from |
01.01.2023 | To | 31.12.2023 | ||||||
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||||
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
Last year to the nearest £ |
||||
| Voluntaryreceipts | 25,132 | 3,711 | - | 28,843 | 48,531 | ||||
| Activities forgeneratingfunds | 3,757 | 758 | - | 4,516 | 3,024 | ||||
| Investment dividends/interest | 2 | 18 | - | 20 | 2 | ||||
| Charitable and church activities | 7,338 | - | - | 7,338 | 5,270 | ||||
| Other receipts |
- | - | - | - | 204 | ||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
36,229 | 4,487 | - | 40,716 | 57,031 | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||||||
| Receipts from sale of fixed assets | - | - | |||||||
| Receipts from sale of investments | - | - | |||||||
| Sub total | - | - | |||||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||||||
| 57,031 | |||||||||
Costs of generating voluntary receipts |
- | - | - | - | - | ||||
| Fundraising costs (trading activities) | 1,916 | 4,231 | - | 6,147 | 8,490 | ||||
| Investmentmanagement costs | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
| Costs ofcharitable activites | 35,165 | 4,441 | - | 39,607 | 33,818 | ||||
| Governance costs | 100 | - | - | 100 | 100 | ||||
| Otherpayments | 37 | - | - | 37 | 270 | ||||
| **Sub total ** | 37,219 | 8,672 | - | 45,891 | 42,678 | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||||||
Purchase of fixed assets |
- | 10,385 | |||||||
| Purchase of investments | - | - | |||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | 10,385 | |||||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
|||||||||
| 53,062 | |||||||||
| - 989 | 3,969 | ||||||||
| 1,606 | - | ||||||||
| 1,213 | 16,651 | ||||||||
| 1,830 | 20,620 |
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| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Categories B5 Liabilities Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B1 Cash funds |
Signature Details Details S. Bartholomew statue Silver high altar candlesticks Portable wooden font Audio/visual cameras/computer Scaffolding and lawnmower St. Bart's sales stock (DVDs, CDs & gifts) Details CBF C of E Investment Fund - Acc. Shares CBF C of E Investment Fund - Acc. Shares Details Cash in hand Cash at bank Cash in deposit accounts Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 249 - 0 1,582 14,615 1,830 14,615 OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) Fabric - Organ Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) General fund 3,848 General fund 945 General fund 623 General fund 10,385 General fund - Organ Maintenance - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - Print Name Mrs Thelma Collins Prof. Graham Barber |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| 19,157 | |||
| 214,270 | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| 898 | |||
| 327 | |||
| 442 | |||
| 8,370 | |||
| 1 | |||
| 6,938 | |||
| When due (optional) |
|||
| Date of approval |
|||
| Mrs Thelma Collins | 12.03.24 | ||
| Prof. Graham Barber | 12.03.24 |
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Notes
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The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2022 and the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using the Receipts and Payments basis
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Non-monetary assets retained for church use are the statue of S. Bartholomew, a set of four high altar silver candlesticks, a wooden portable font, S. Bart's sales stock, audio/visual cameras and computer and scaffold and a lawnmower (the latter two at nominal value)
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Investment assets are CCLA CBF Church of England Investment Fund Accumulation Shares
-
The movements in designated and restricted funds during the year were:
| Bal b/fwd | Receipts | Payments | Transfers Bal c/fwd | Transfers Bal c/fwd | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designated | |||||
| Silver candlesticks fund | 1,742 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,742 |
| 1,742 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,742 | |
| Restricted | |||||
| Flower fund | 632 | 50 | 18 | 0 | 664 |
| Discretionary fund | 638 | 118 | 10 | 0 | 746 |
| Asda Foundation grant | 0 | 480 | 0 | 0 | 480 |
| LCC Christmas Market | 247 | 300 | 466 | 0 | 81 |
| LCC Leeds Inspired Grant | 1,080 | 120 | 1,200 | 0 | 0 |
| LDBF Energy costs grant | 1,242 | 0 | 1,242 | 0 | 0 |
| Organ maintenance fund | 13,908 | 2,151 | 3,273 | -1,459 | 11,327 |
| Fabric fund | 1,659 | 2,268 | 2,463 | -147 | 1,317 |
| 19,407 | 5,487 | 8,672 | -1,606 | 14,615 |
The Silver candlesticks fund represents donations for altar and sanctuary requisites and payments for the same.
The Flower fund represents donations to be spent on flowers for church
The Discretionary fund exists to provide monetary assistance for those most in need
The Asda Foundation grant exists to provide funding for forthcoming lunchtime music concerts.
LCC Christmas Market represents a grant from Leeds City Council towards expenses of the Christmas Market.
LCC Leeds Inspired grant represents a grant towards the costs of providing lunchtime music concerts in Spring 2023.
LDBF energy costs grant represents a grant towards energy costs.
The Organ maintenance fund exists to provide funding for the protection of and maintenance and repairs to the church organ
The Fabric fund represents accumulated donations for fabric maintenance, and renovation which can only be spent for that purpose
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I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Bartholomew, Armley with St. Mary, New Wortley for the year ended 31[st] . December 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity 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 charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 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
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 (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.
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 charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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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 accounts to be reached.
Nigel Wyatt BSC FCA Independent Examiner 125 Main Street Garforth Leeds LS25 1AF
Date: 24/10/2024