This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator. This document is also available as Markdown.

Parochial Church

Council of the

Ecclesiastical Parish of Alvechurch Charity Registration Number: 1131783

Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for 2023

Annual Report 2023

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.

We continue to grow in relationship with St Leonard’s Beoley. We held two “all-together” services, one at each church, and we held a joint Harvest Social.

The coronation of King Charles III was celebrated together at St Laurence.

A joint Confirmation service was conducted by Bishop Martin for 11 candidates from St Laurence and St Leonard (which included 2 baptisms).

A new monthly worshipping community, a café-style service, entitled Church@4 was started in April. Places of Welcome continues to grow and provides a valuable service to those who attend.

We welcomed Rev Martin Allen as a new curate member of our Ministry Team.

Everyone is welcome to attend our regular services. At the end of 2023, there were 98 parishioners on our Electoral Roll. Our worshipping community numbers some 140 including 30 children and young people.

We celebrated 7 baptisms, 7 weddings, and held 16 funeral services in our church and conducted 9 interments of ashes.

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 Redditch and Bromsgrove Deanery Synod. This provides an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the church.

The Fabric of the Church

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 which is expected to be started in 2024. 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.

The experience of broadcasting recorded services whilst we were unable to meet in person during the Covid pandemic gave the impetus to continue this activity. Thanks to donations and legacies we raised the necessary funds for the installation of a new audio-visual presentation system which was commenced in December (and completed in 2024). This will be used to enhance the worship experience during services at St Laurence and will enable us to live stream or record services in the future.

Pastoral Care

The Tots 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.

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 continue to be held in local residential homes at The Lawns, The Leys, Grosvenor House and Hopwood House. We have commissioned 7 Pastoral Care Ministers to enable them to administer communion in these premises and in the homes of other local residents.

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

continue to give on a regular basis to the food bank run by New Starts in Bromsgrove, with donations also to Birmingham City Mission.

Our monthly parish magazine, The Grapevine, has been available free of charge across the parish. This has continued through the Covid 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 (CTARG) with joint events held during the year including Advent and Lent courses, and the Christmas light switch-on service.

St Laurence members continue to be active in the operation of the ecumenical, Alvechurch Larder. This service provides near sell-by food at a greatly reduced cost to local people, thereby reducing food waste and helping those in financial need and continues to satisfy a growing local need.

As part of CTARG, St Laurence participated in the village Picnic in the Park in May, and with an ecologically-oriented service in Rowney Green in June.

A joint Service for Peace was held followed by a Ukrainian themed+ meal.

Safeguarding

The PCC has due regard to the House of Bishops’ 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. There are no outstanding safeguarding issues.

Financial Review

The overall value of PCC funds fell by £28,762 in 2023, compared with a rise of £24,298 in 2022 (excluding an extraordinary profit of £275,991 on the sale of land).

The fall in overall funds in 2023 is mainly due to payments being made for the installation of new audio-visual equipment in St. Laurence’s Church building, amounting to £50,212. This has been funded from legacies and, individual donations received in previous years, and a transfer made from

The Ark Café Fund following the closure of the café during the Covid pandemic, together with a transfer from the General Fund.

Receipts exceeded payments by £15,321 on the unrestricted, General Fund in 2023. This compares with a surplus in 2022 of £23,126 (excluding an extraordinary profit of £34,991 on the sale of land).

The balance on the General Fund at the end of 2023 is £52,675. This equates to approximately 8 months’ normal expenditures, including Ministry Share payments. In view of the current geopolitical uncertainties, creating a cost-of-living crisis in the UK, together with potential continued loss of income from regular giving, the PCC considers that this level of General Fund reserve is necessary.Reserves Policy

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

Administrative information

During the year the work of the Parish Administrator, Mrs Lynda Lewis, was augmented by the employment of a part-time Ministry Support Assistant, Mrs Penny Walker. This post is shared with St Leonard’s Beoley.

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: Priest in Charge Rev Gail Rogers

Churchwardens Mr Graham Clark, Mr Mick Fletcher (until April) Michael Davenport (from April)

Curate Rev Martin Allen Lay Readers Mrs Sue Philips-Wardle, Mrs Helen Ayling Treasurer Mr Mark Blamire-Brown (from May) Members Mr Andrew Notley Mr Roger Wardle Mr Michael Davenport Mr Peter Freeman Mrs Sue Lambert Mrs Sarah Linton

Mr Mark Linton Mrs Lysandre Notley (Secretary)

Mrs Linda Helmore Mrs Jane Edwards Ms Sue Sperring Ms Gloria Wilson

Aims and purposes

St Laurence PCC is responsible for promoting the whole mission of the church - evangelistic, pastoral, social and ecumenical - within the ecclesiastical parish of Alvechurch, and for seeking ways to grow mission and ministry in the parish.

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.

The PCC operates through several committees and groups, which meet between full PCC meetings, and which met as necessary on Zoom following the start of the Covid 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 receipts and payments, 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 building, the Ark, and the churchyard). It also plans, co-ordinates and budgets both capital and maintenance projects. It is 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 and young people develop faith. It also considers the wider work of the church and community in relation to children and young people.

4) Wider Mission Group

This committee fosters 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.

Other groups include, Pastoral Group, Growing Mission & Ministry, Churches Together and Eco Church. These groups represent the whole mission and ministry of the church.

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.
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 the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Parochial Church Council of the Eccleslastlcal Parish of Alvechurch Charity Registration Number: 1131783 Accounts for the year ended sl 31 December 2023

The Parochlal Church Councll of the Eccleslasllcal Parlsh of Alvechurch Acccounts for Ihe year ended 31st December 2023 Contents Page Independent Examlner's Report Recelpts ond Payments Account statement of Assets and Llabllttles Notes to the Accounts: l. Accounting Basis 2. Receipts 3. Payments 4. Profit on Sale of Land 5. Transfer Between Funds 6. Movemenl of Accumulated Funds 7. Investment Assets

The Parochlal Church Councll of Ihe Eccleslastlcal Parlsh of Alvechurch Acccounts lorthe year ended 31st December 2023 Independent Examlner's Report Independent exominerfs report to the members ol the PCC of the Ecclesiaslical Parish of Alvechurch for the year ended 31st December 2023. I report on accounts of the Parochial Church Council I'PCC'I ol the Ecclesia51icol Parish of Alvechvrch lor the year ended 31 sl December 2023, which ore sel out on poge5 2 10 8 . Res eclive res onsibilities ol PCC The PCC is responsible lor the preparation ol the occounls in occordance with the Charities Act 2011. They consider Ihol on audit 15 not reqvired lor Ihi5 year under section 144 01 the Charities Act 2011 ond Ihol an independent exominolion is needed. f in endenl examinerf5 re ort I report in respecl of my exominalion ol the PCC'S accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charilies Act 2011 ond in carying out my exominotion. I have followed the applicoble directions given by the Charity Commission Under section 145151 Ibl of the Charitie5 Ac12011. Inde endenl ex miner's st tem nt I have completed my examination. I confirm Ihot no material mallers hove come lo my ottention in connection wlh the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any moleriol respect: accounting records were not kept in occordonce wth seclion 130 01 the Act or the occounls do not accord with the accounling records I hove no concerns ond have come across no other motlers in connection with the exominalion lo which oltention should be drown in order lo enable o proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Dale M.A. Edwords For ond on beholf ol :_ M. A. Edwards Accounlanls Limited, Chartered Accounlanls. 26, The Green. Kings Norlon. Birmingham. B38 8SD. Page I

The Parochlal Church Councll of Ihe Eccleslasticol Parish ol Alvechurch Acccounts for Ihe yeor ended 31st December 2023 Receipts and Payments Account Unieslricled Designaled Reslilcted Fund Funds Funds TOTAL 2023 TOTAL 2022 RECEIPTS Voluntary receipls Planned giving Colleclion5 al services Olher voluntary receipts Gill aid tox recovered Total Voluntary receipts Activitie5 lor generaling funds Investmenl receipts Church activities 47,354 6,082 10,705 12,163 76,304 4,102 43 16.385 830 1,275 2,300 702 5.107 960 7,901 2,368 48.184 7,357 13,045 12,865 81.451 5,145 7,944 41.235 55,652 7,019 16,785 12,115 91,571 2.682 1,825 39,127 2101 40 40 83 21bl 21cl 21dl 22,482 Total Recelpts 96,834 22.605 16.336 135.775 135.205 PAYMENTS Church activities Diocesan Ministry Share contributions Clergy & stolling costs Church running expense5 Utilities expenses The Ark running costs Mission giving & donolions Cost ol generating funds Other expenses 45.411 11.887 16.368 3,695 4,589 50,0(X) 20,713 21.332 7,877 7,452 6,204 725 50,235 50,(K)O 13,165 23.369 9,028 5,948 6,323 2,961 113 31al 31bl 31cl 8.826 1,006 4,182 7,013 3,958 439 2,610 190 3,594 535 23 31dl 50,212 Total Payments 81,513 71.239 11.786 164.538 110,907 Excessl{Deficil) off Receipts over Payrnenls 15,321 48,6341 4.550 128,7631 24.298 Prollt on sale of land 275,991 Transfers beeen funds 144.5371 55.835 111.2981 Nel movemenl in funds 29,216 7,201 6.748 28.7631 3(X).289 Reconclllatlon of Ivnds Accumulated lund5 blf Accumuloled Ivnds clf 81,891 52.675 475,220 468,472 557,191 256,902 528.428 557.191 7,281 Page 2

The Parochial Church Council of the Eccleslasllcal Parish of Alvechvrch Acc¢ounts lor the year ended 31st December 2023 Statement of Assets and Liablllffes Unrostrlcted Deslgnated Resmcted TOTAL TOTAL Fund Fvnd Funds 2023 2022 Note Cash funds Bank Cash in hand Deposlt funds 43.370 1.271 8.034 7,281 19,245 69.896 111.864 50 1,321 251,160 259.194 241,oJo 52.675 7,281 270.455 330.411 352.864 Olher rnonetary assets Gift aid tax recoverable 997 335 1.332 Investment assets Investment fund shares at market value 229.279 229,279 204.686 Llobllllles Agency Collectlon5 1.747 1,747 These accounts were approved by Ihe Parochial Church Council on 27th February 2024 and signed on Its behalf by.. Revd Gail Rogers Chair ol the Parochial Chwch Council Page 3 Puge

The Parochlal Church Councll of Ihe Ecclesiaslical Parlsh of Alvechurch Acccounts for the year ended 31st December 2023 Notes to the Accounts The financial statements of the PCC hove bèen prepared in accordance wilh the Church Accounting Regvlolions 2006 using the Receips ond Payments basis. Unrestrlcled Deslgnated Restricted Fund Fund Funds TOTAL 2023 TOTAL 2022 2 RECEIPTS 2(a) Other volunta recei ts other donations Legacies Granls 567 10,138 1.552 200 548 2,159 1,358 10,338 14.927 10,705 2,300 13,045 16,785 2(b) Activities for eneratin funds Fund raising events Grapevine magazine advert15ing 1.282 2.820 83 960 2,325 2,820 1.612 1,070 4,102 960 5.145 2,682 2(c) Inveslmenl recei ts Dividends Deposit interest Rent from field 1.230 6.671 1.230 6,714 608 1,068 149 43 43 7.901 7.944 1,825 2(d) Church activities Fees- weddings & funerals The Ark lettings & events other receipls 12.350 112 12,462 15.336 22.482 23.746 6.290 45 22,482 4,034 2,256 16,385 22.482 2.368 41,235 39,127 Change to accounts disclosure: Fees- weddings & funerals in 2022 included fees received from wedding couples and funeral directors Ihal ore due lo third parties such as organist5. vergers. bellringers arld the diocese. Third party fees have been excluded from the fuures for 2023 Fees- weddings & funerols. Page 4

The Parochlal Church Councll of the Eccleslostlcal Parlsh of Alvechvrch Acccounts for the year ended 31st December 2023 Notes to the Accounls Vnrestricted Deslgnaled Reslrlcted Fund Fund Funds TOTAL 2023 TOTAL 2022 3 PAYMENTS 3(0) & stoffin costs Clergy expenses Administrators slaff costs 2.181 9.706 2.181 18.532 1,109 12.056 8.826 11,887 8.826 20,713 13,165 Reddilch Holy Trinity PCC contribute towards 50% of clergy expenses. In 2022, the receipts were netled off against payments. In 2023, the receipts ore included in Church Activities, other Receipts 3(b) Church runnin ex enses Fees- weddings & funerals Insurance Repair & mainlenance Worship resources Administrolion Independent Examiner's Fee other expenses 774 6,302 3,705 1.274 2.800 1.128 385 16,368 774 4,781 6,302 5.629 8,096 8.395 1.299 900 3,034 2,333 1,128 948 698 382 21,332 23,369 711 3,681 26 IS4 215 1.006 98 3,958 Change to accounts disclosure: Fees- weddings & funerols in 2022 included lees paid to third parties such as organists. vergers, bellringers ond the diocese. Third party fee5 have been excluded trom the figures for 2023 Fees- weddings & funerals. 3(c) Utilitie5 ex enses Ga5 Electricily rt & Telecommunicalions 1,957 1,613 124 3.694 2.112 1.613 458 4,182 4,069 3,225 582 7,877 4.539 3.243 1.246 9.028 31d) Other ex enses Audio visual system installation Small equipmenl purchases 50.212 50,212 23 50,235 23 23 113 113 50,212 Page 5

The PaTochlal Church Councll of the Eccleslasflcal Parlsh of Alvechurch Acccounts for the year ended 31st December 2023 Notes to the Accounts 4 PROFIT ON SALE OF LAND Land in School Lone, Alvechurch. upon which the former Parish Room stood, was sold in May 2022 for £395.000. Net proceeds, after deducling professional charges, amounted lo £375,991. As the land was nol designated as endowment, there ore no restrictions on Ihe use of the proceeds. whether cOtal or income earned from inveslmenls. provided they ore for the ecclesiaslicol purposes ol the charity 1131783: the Porish Council of the Ecclesia5ticca Parish of Alvechurch" However. the PCC has decided that the funds should be classiFied as Restrictive and used in perpetuity for the mainlenance and repairs of St. Laurence church buildings and ils churchyord. This decision can be modified by the PCC provided they satisfy the Charities Commision stipulation. Unre5trlcted Designated Restricted Fund Fund Funds 5 TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS 2023 From General Fund to Audio Visual Fund From Olhers Fund lo Audio Visual Fund 143,8351 43.835 12.000 112,(K)01 From General Fund lo Ark Fixtures & Filtings Fund 15051 505 From General Fund to Churchyard Maintenance 17881 788 From Others Fund lo General Fund 632 16321 From General Fund to Clock Fund 41 (44.537) 55.835 (11.298) 2022 From General Fund to Clock Fund 11001 100 From Ark/Church Car Park Fund lo Copilol Repair Fund I i 00.0001 i 00.000 (i 00) loo Page 6

The Parochlal Church Councll of the Eccleslasllcal Parlsh of Alvechurch Acccounts for the year ended 31st December 2023 Notes to the Accounts 6 MOVEMENT ON ACCUMULATED FUND 01101123 Recelpts Payments TfansFer$ 31112123 Unrestricled Fund General Fund 81,891 96,834 [81,513) (44,537) 52,675 Desi noled Funds Audio Visual The Ark 150.2121 121,0271 {71,239) 55,835 5,623 1 ,658 7.281 80 22,605 22.605 55.835 Reslricted Funds Ark Fixtures & Fillings Ark Recoupmenl Ark Tots & Toddler5 Bells Capital Repair Churchyord Copital Chvrchyard Maintenance Clock Fund Fabric Others Orgon Resloration Fund stipend Youth 1.824 58.881 14391 505 1,890 58,881 2.132 2.360 0 343,469 40,883 2,256 786 2,572 11241 1201 11031 1,594 341,000 40,883 683 2,776 1.778 756 3,871 2.992 13.2491 14621 788 41 3,111 4,582 2,363 14.803 12.8001 112.6321 4,562 7,503 475.220 27 188 16.336 14.5891 7,691 111.786) (11,298} 468.472 TOTAL FUNDS During the year the PCC decided to create a new designated fund for a mojor project to instoll o new oudio visual system in the church. This project had nol been completed al the year-end. The 2022 the General Fund receipts and payments include Ihose in respect of the The Ark community centre. The PCC required greoter visibility of The Ark receipts and poyments, so in 2023 these were recorded in a 5eparale designoled fund for The Ark. Prior to Jul 2023, the receipts and poyments for Tots &Toddlers Group, which meets weekly in lem lime, were excluded from the PCC account5. However. now Ihat Ihe Group is led by church members a new restricted fund has been created to collect fees and pay expenses for the Group. The'others, Fund holds donalions, on o short term basis, raised for specific church ond charity uses Page 7

The Parochlal Church Councll of the Ecclesiastlcal Parish of Alvechurch Acccounts for the year ended 31st December 2023 Noles to the Accounts 7 INVESTMENT ASSETS Investment Funds The Worcester Diocesan Board of Fiance manage5 on Ihe PCC'S behalf the following CBF Church of England Inveslment Funds: Markelvalue 31112123 31112122 Fund Name Note Alvechurch Black Paddock (Recoupl Alvechurch Black Paddock Ch'yrd Maint Alvechurch PCC lal Ibl Icl 70,549 62,627 45.002 41,102 113,728 100,957 229,279 204,686 lal Part of the land held by the PCC and known as the'Black Paddock. was sold in 2003. Part ol the proceeds. amounting to £978,710, was used to build The Ark community centre. being an extension to the existing church building. This land had previously been held as a permonent endowment by the PCC as a trustee in a separate charity'for burial purposes and exlension ol the churchyard.. By order of Ihe Charity Commission, Ihe PCC placed £42,CK)O in an accumulaled investmenl fund, permitting dividends accruing therefrom to be occumuloled over 60 years. At the end of Ihe 60 years the inve5tmenl is to be Ireated as a Ibl £40,0 of the proceeds from Ihe sole of'Black Paddock, lond was invested in Income shares, whereby the dividends are paid into the Churchyard Mainlenance Fund. Icl £1 00,000 from the land sale proceeds (see Note 41 was invested. in May 2022, in an Accumulalion Fund. osit Funds Deposit savings are held on Ihe CBF Church of England Deposit Fund and in bonk deposil accounts held on the CAF Charily Deposits Platform. At the start of the year, the Worcester Diocesan Trust held £4.563 in a CBF Church of Englond Deposil Fund account named 'Alvechurch Stipends Trust, as Custodian Trustee for the PCC. The account wos closed in February 2023 ond the proceeds used lo pay parl of Ihe PCC'S Ministry Share for 2023. Page 8