2022-12-31-accounts - Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Alvechurch

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Parochial Church Council

of the

Ecclesiastical Parish of Alvechurch

Charity Registration Number: 1131783

Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for 2022

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Annual Report 2022

Objectives and Activities

The Parochial Church Council (‘PCC’) is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church, and regularly reviews how our services can appeal to and involve the many groups that live within our parish. We strive to put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music, and sacrament. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:

worship and prayer, learning about the Gospel, and deepening their knowledge and trust as disciples of Jesus Christ
provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish, and missionary and outreach work.

The church hall (The Ark) is an important asset to us in achieving our objectives. When planning its activities, the PCC has regard to the Charity Commissioners' guidance on public benefit, and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.

Achievements and Performance

Worship and Prayer

The PCC aims to offer a range of services each week, and over the course of the year, that our community find both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling. For that reason, the PCC is keen to continue the full range of Sunday services which provide both intimate and reflective worship, and more outgoing forms of worship.

Rev Gail Rogers, who was appointed to St Laurence at the end of 2021 is also vicar of St Leonard’s Beoley. Many of the activities of 2022 were aimed at facilitating her time sharing between the two churches and helping the two church communities to work and worship together. Sunday worship times at both churches were adjusted (for a trial period) to enable Rev Gail to attend both churches every week. Eucharist was held on the first Sunday of the month at 9.15am and on the second and third Sunday of the month at 11.15am at St Laurence. Joint services were held for both churches at each site at Easter, Pentecost and Christmas.

Everyone is welcome to attend our regular services. At the end of 2022, there were 95 parishioners on our Electoral Roll. Our worshipping community numbers some 140 including 25 children and young people.

We celebrated 2 baptisms, 7 weddings, and held 12 funeral services in our church (and 2 at the local Crematorium), 2 graveside burials and 14 interments of ashes.

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In addition to praying for those mentioned on our Prayer Board, there is a confidential prayer chain for private prayer requests.

Deanery Synod

Two members of the PCC, together with our Vicar, sit on the Deanery Synod. This provides an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the church.

The Fabric of the Church

Phase Two of our Capital Projects — repairs and refurbishment of the church tower and clocks was granted a faculty in 2021 and work will start once we have secured sufficient funds, from a combination of asset sales and grants, for which we shall shortly be applying. The sale of land in School Lane Alvechurch to provide some of the funds, was finally completed during the year.

We have carried out essential repairs as they have arisen and most of the remedial work arising from the Quinquennial Review has been completed except that on the tower as mentioned above. The churchyard continues to be maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers, and tree surgery has been performed to deal with any trees that might have presented a hazard to visitors or the general public. A dead tree stump was carved into an angel by a local artist to serve as a place of memorial for still born or neo-natal babies.

Pastoral Care

The Mother and Toddler Group continues to operate. The children's Sunday Club has run during the Sunday morning Family Service and remains popular, with adult helpers bringing considerable skill and imagination to this activity. All who work with children have been DBS checked.

A Baby Loss Awareness service was held in October when The Angel was dedicated to the memory of those lost locally.

St Laurence's is a caring community. The pastoral care group and others endeavour to visit or keep in contact with those who are no longer able to come to church due to sickness or infirmity or covid restrictions. Regular services in local residential homes at The Lawns and The Leys have resumed after they were suspended during the pandemic.

Mission and Evangelism

Helping those in need is also a demonstration of our faith in action. Financial, practical and prayer support was once again given to those we are linked with in the churches in Peru. We have also supported the work of the orphanage at Montgomery Heights Christian Care Centre in Zimbabwe, together with Faith at Work in Worcestershire - four members of our congregation are workplace chaplains in Alvechurch and Redditch. We give on a regular basis to the food bank run by New Starts in Bromsgrove, with donations also to Birmingham City Mission.

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A “Places of Welcome” was introduced in The Ark to provide a warm place where people could meet informally over light refreshment. The church itself is also open during this time for private prayer and contemplation.

Our monthly parish magazine, The Grapevine, has been available free of charge across the parish this has continued through the pandemic after the first month of the initial restrictions. As well as giving information about the village of Alvechurch, the magazine deals with matters affecting the church, and reminds readers of our activities, as well as seeking to develop knowledge and trust in Jesus Christ. Special services, including our recorded services, are advertised across the parish. During the year the printing of this magazine was brought inhouse with a considerable saving in cost.

Ecumenical Relationships

St Laurence is a member of Churches Together in Alvechurch and Rowney Green with joint events held during the year including Advent and Lent courses, reading of St Mark’s Gospel, Christmas light switch service.

St Laurence members were active in the setting up and operating of the ecumenical Alvechurch Larder which provides near sell-by food at a greatly reduced cost to local people, thereby reducing food waste and helping those in financial need.

Safeguarding

The PCC has due regard to the House of Bishop's guidance in relation to safeguarding. DBS checks are up to date, as is mandatory safeguarding training for those who deal with vulnerable parishioners. The yearly Toolkit for the Archdeacon is now an online dashboard which is coloured red, orange, green depending on whether or not we are compliant with the requirements and if not our action plan. We are green in all areas. There are no outstanding safeguarding issues.

Financial Review

Income for Unrestricted Funds in 2022 was £127,813 (2021 £111,720). Income for Restricted Funds was £7,392 (2021 £10,682).

Expenditures from Unrestricted Funds in 2022 were £104,687 (2021 £117,264). Ministry Share of £50,000 was paid, equalling that paid for Parish Share in 2021. Expenditures from Restricted funds in 2022 were £6,220 (2021 £9,011). Cash reserves of General Unrestricted funds stood at £46,980 at the end of 2022, representing less than 6 months' expenditure.

During the year the Parish Room (disused since 2006) and the land on which it stood were sold. The £275,991 which this raised is to be used for future maintenance of the church building.

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Reserves Policy

It is PCC policy to maintain a balance in the General Unrestricted Fund which equates approximately six months' expenditures, excluding Ministry Share payments.

Administrative information

During the year Mr Ian Price, the Parish Administrator, resigned his post and was replaced by Mrs Lynda Lewis. We thank Ian for his many years’ work for us and wish Lynda every success in the role.

Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules.

During the year, the following served as members of the PCC:

Rector Rev Gail Rogers Churchwardens Mr Graham Clark, Mr Mick Fletcher Lay Readers Mrs Sue Philips-Wardle, Mrs Helen Ayling Members Mr Colin Bennett Mr Andrew Notley Mr Roger Wardle Mr Michael Davenport Mrs Janet Wright (Treasurer and Electoral Roll Officer)

Dr Martin Allen Mr Peter Freeman Mrs Sue Lambert Mrs Sarah Linton Mr Mark Linton Mrs Lysandre Notley (Secretary)

Aims and purposes

St Laurence PCC has the responsibility of promoting the whole mission of the church - evangelistic, pastoral, social and ecumenical - within the ecclesiastical parish of Alvechurch and seeking ways to grow mission and ministry locally.

Structure, governance and management

Appointment of members to the PCC conforms with the Church Representation Rules. Everyone attending church is encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and to stand for election to the PCC Committees.

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The PCC operates through several committees, which meet between full PCC meetings, and which met as necessary on Zoom following the start of the pandemic:

1) Finance and Standing Committee

This is the only committee required by law. It has powers to transact the business of the PCC between meetings, subject to directions given by the Council. It oversees the general financial dimension of the work of St Laurence by monitoring income and expenditure, budgeting and co-ordinating the review of planned giving.

2) Buildings, Fabric and Churchyard for Mission Committee

This committee is responsible for the general maintenance and upkeep of church property (the church, the Ark, and the churchyard). It also now plans, co-ordinates and budgets both capital and maintenance projects. It is also responsible for work arising from the Quinquennial Inspection and the Asset Management Plan.

3) Children and Youth Work Committee

This committee is responsible for overseeing Church groups which are dedicated to helping children develop faith. It also considers the wider work of the church and community in relation to children and young people.

4) Mission Committee

This committee fosters the links with the Anglican Church and Christians in Peru, and the orphanage at Montgomery Heights Christian Care Centre in Zimbabwe, and other missionary work, including Faith at Work in Worcestershire.

Statement of Responsibilities of members of the PCC

The PCC is responsible for preparing the Annual Report in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the PCC to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity, and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements the PCC is required to:

select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent,
state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements,
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

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the PCC is responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that they comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations
The PCC is also responsible for safeguarding the assets and taking reasonable steps for ne prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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Annual Accounts 2022

Statement of Financial Activities

Notes Incoming Resources Incoming resources from generated funds Voluntary income Activities for generating funds Investment income Incoming resources from charitable activities Total incoming resources 2 Resources Expended Charitable activities Total resources expended Net incoming resources before other recognised gains and losses 3 Profit on sale of land Adjustments Transfers Net movement in funds Accumulated funds b/f Accumulated funds c/f 5	2022 2021 Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds Total Total 86,807 4,884 91,691 86,378 1,115 - 1,115 2,755 29 1,676 1,705 5,545
	87,951 6,560 94,511 94,678
	39,862 832 40,694 32,907
	127,813 7,392 135,205 127,585
	104,687 6,220 110,907 130,327
	104,687 6,220 110,907 130,327
	23,126 1,172 24,298 (2,742) 34,991 241,000 275,991 - - - (100) 100 - -
	58,017 242,272 300,289 (2,742)
	23,954 232,948 256,902 259,644
	81,971 475,220 557,191 256,902

There were no recognised gains or losses except as shown above.

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Balance Sheet Notes 2022 2021 Fixed Assets Tangibl68 100,000 Current Ass Cash al bank and in hand Investments - restrlcted funds 111,864 445,327 23.954 132,948 557,191 156.902 Net Current Assets 557,191 156,902 Net Assets 557.191 256.902 Reserve Unrestiicted funds Restr6cted funds 81.971 475,220 23,954 232,948 Total church funds 557,191 256,902 These financial statements were approved by the Parochial Church Council on and slgned on Its behaw by :" Rev G8il ers Chalr of the PCC Page 9

Notes to the Accounts

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Accounting Convention

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention in accordance with the the Charities Act 2011, on the receipts and payments basis.

Incoming Resources

Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when received. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included. Grants are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which they are received, and the church has fulfilled all conditions for its receipt. Investment income is included when it is received.

Outgoing Resources

Resources expended are recognised in the year in which they are paid.

Funds

The Unrestricted fund are incoming resources which are used for the objects of the church, without any specified purpose or further restriction. Restricted funds can only be used for the specific purposes as decided by the donor, within the objects of the church. Designated funds are unrestricted funds, which have been earmarked by the PCC for particular purposes.

Fixed assets

Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind are excluded from the accounts by the Charities Act 2011. Freehold properties are stated in the balance sheet at cost.

The depreciation rates used are :-

Freehold property Nil.

Investments

Investments are stated at cost.

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2 3	INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary incoming resources Planned giving Collections Donations and legacies Worcs. CC grant for churchyard National Churches Trust grant Alvechurch Parish Council grant Advent purses/Bibles for Schools Fundraising Incoming resources from charitable activities Ark café Fees for special services Church and annex lettings Fund raising Investment income Rent from field Dividends and interest Others VAT recovered Model railway exhibition Grapevine and website Total incoming resources NET INCOMING/OUTGOING RESOURCES Depreciation Independent examiner's remuneration Salaries Average number of employees Council members' expenses Council members' remuneration There were no related party transactions.	2022 54,040 20,007 16,517 500 - - 627 - 91,691 958 15,336 22,788 1,612 40,694 29 1,676 1,705 - - 1,115 1,115 135,205 2022 - 900 1 - -	2021 58,216 18,115 8,027 1,500 - - 520 -
			86,378
			608 20,298 12,001 -
			32,907
			80 890
			970
			205 - 2,550
			2,755
			123,010
			2021 - 900 14,528 1 - -

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4 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

For charitable use

Cost or valuation Balance b/f Additions Disposals Balance c/f Accumulated depreciation Balance b/f Charge for the year Balance c/f Net book value b/f Net book value c/f	Freehold Property 100,000 - (100,000) - - - - 100,000 -	Total 100,000 - (100,000)
		-
		- -
		-
		100,000
		-

5 MOVEMENT ON ACCUMULATED FUNDS

Unrestricted Funds General Unrestricted Fund Ark Café Designated Restricted Funds Churchyard Ark Fittings Youth Fund Fabric Fund Bells Fund Clock Fund Others Restricted Funds Invested Capital Repair Stipend Recoupment Churchyard Maintenance Restricted Assets Ark/Church Car Park	B/F at the C/F at the Start of Incoming Outgoing End of year Resources Resources Transfers Adjustments The year 23,874 162,804 (104,687) (100) - 81,891 80 - - - - 80
	23,954 162,804 (104,687) (100) - 81,971
	305 1,843 (1,465) - - 683 2,441 100 (717) - - 1,824 7,764 121 (382) - - 7,503 260 451 - - - 711 1,300 583 (389) 100 - 1,594 2,242 594 (60) - - 2,776 14,310 3,700 (3,207) - - 14,803
	28,622 7,392 (6,220) 100 - 29,894
	241,000 100,000 341,000 4,562 - - - - 4,562 58,881 - - 58,881 40,883 - - - - 40,883
	104,326 241,000 - 100,000 - 445,326
	100,000 - - (100,000) - -
	100,000 - - (100,000) - -

	256,902 411,196 (110,907) - - 557,191

The 'Others' Fund holds donations restricted to specific church and charity uses on a short term basis

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6 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN THE FUNDS

General unrestricted fund Designated funds Restricted funds Restricted investments Restricted assets	Invest- Fixed Cash at ments Assets Bank Total - - 81,891 81,891 - - 80 80 445,326 - 445,326 29,894 - - 29,894 - - - -
	475,220 - 81,971 557,191

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7 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

2022 54,040 20,007 16,517 500 - 627 958 15,336 22,788 1,612 29 1,676 - 1,115 135,205 275,991 411,196 1,793 5,882 6,323 50,000 20,785 537 - 900 5,465 1,168 14,771 984 615 - 736 948 110,907 300,289 - 300,289	2021 58,216 18,115 8,027 1,500 - 520 608 20,298 12,001 - 80 890 205 2,550 123,010 - 123,010 124 3,692 10,992 50,000 17,342 2,091 13,432 514 8,998 4,753 16,074 36 945 42 344 948 130,327 (7,317) - - - (7,317)	2021 58,216 18,115 8,027 1,500 - 520 608 20,298 12,001 - 80 890 205 2,550 123,010 - 123,010 124 3,692 10,992 50,000 17,342 2,091 13,432 514 8,998 4,753 16,074 36 945 42 344 948 130,327 (7,317) - - - (7,317)
135,205 275,991		123,010 -
411,196 110,907		123,010 130,327
	- -
300,289 -		(7,317) -

300,289		(7,317)

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IndoperKlant gxamln•rf8 report to the membors of the PCC of the Eccl•$la$tical Parl8h of Alv•church for t •r èndad 31st Dtcomber 2022. I report on the accounts of th8 PCC of the E¢clpsiastical Parish of Afvechurch for the year ended 31st December 2022, whith are set out on pages 8 to 14. Res res nsibi1it68s of PCC and the examiner The PCC is responsible for the preparallon of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. They consider that an 8udlt Is Mi Tgqulred for this year under section 144 of the Chat8 Act 2011 and that an Independent examlnalron is needed. Bosis of inde dent examin9r's ro ort I report in resp6Ct of my 8xaminalKJn of the PCC'S a¢¢ovnts carTi8d under S9ction 145 of the Charllles AGI 20118nd In carrylng out my examination, I have follow9d the appllcable dirgctions given by the Charity c0fflmbsn under section 14515llbl of Ihe Charttiès Ad 2011. Inde dent examinels statement I havg completed my gxamlnation. I confim that no materlal matters have ccKne to my attention in connedion Wbth the examination whkh glves mè cause lo belSeve that in, any material rg$pecl: accounting records were not kept in acCdance with sg¢lDn 130 of the Ad or the accounts do not accord wlth thè ¥GountlrKJ records I have no concems and have come across no olh&r matters in nn8¢1)n with the examlnation lo which att8ntSon should be t1r8wn in order to enab a propel undorstandlng of the accounts to be reached. M.A. Edwards For and on behalf of :. M. A. Edwards Accountants Llmlted. Chartor8d Accountants, 26, The Green. Klngs Norton, Birrningham, B38 8SD. Page 15