Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Alvechurch Charity Registration Number: l 131783 Trustees, Annual Report and Accounts for 2024
Annual Report 2024 Objectives and Activities The Parochial Church Council (PCCI 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 aim to support people in living 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 in achieving our objectives. In planning activities for the year, the PCC has had due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit, including 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 finds both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling. For that reason, we continue to offer a full pattern of Sunday services. including both intimate and reflective worship. and more outgoing forms of worship. We continue to grow in relationship with St Leonard's, Beoley. Two 'all- together" services were held-one at each church-as well as a joint Harvest Social. We also shared discipleship groups across both parishes during Lent and Advent. We committed to exploring welcome and hospitality using Inclusive Church resources, integrating these into our worship, and offering opportunities for deeper engagement through midweek groups. In May, we launched a new monthly café-style worshipping community at 9:15am, which takes an intergenerational approach. A monthly toddler service was also introduced as a new worshipping community, focusing on children aged O-4 and their parents/carers. Places of Welcome continues to offer valuable support to attendees. New activities, including jigsaws. have proved especially popular. Page I
Revd Martin Allen was ordained priest in 2024, and presided for the first time at an All-Together Communion Service with St Leonard's. A joint celebratory lunch followed. Everyone is welcome at our regular services. At the end of 2024, 90 parishioners were on the Electoral Roll. Our worshipping community numbers approximately 148, including around 30 children and young people. We celebrated l O baptisms, conducted 7 funeral services at church, 5 at the crematorium, and held 15 interments of ashes. Advent and Christmas attendance increased by 910 compared to 2023. Alongside our public worship, we maintain a confidential prayer chain, and continue to pray for individuals named in the Prayer Tree and Prayer Folder. Risk Review The PCC has reviewed the major risks to which the church is exposed. The main areas identified include the financial sustainability of ministry and mission, maintaining adequate volunteer capacity, and the upkeep of the church building and associated facilities. The PCC monitors income and expenditure regularly and will continue to explore future sources of funding to protect against any significant reduction. The PCC is actively involved in. and oversees, the delivery of its activities to ensure both safety and quality are maintained across all areas of ministry. Deanery Synod One PCC member and our Vicar sit on the Deanery Synod, providing a vital link between the parish and the wider structures of the Church. The Fabrlc 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. In the summer of 2024, we were awarded £189,000 from the National Lottery Heritage fund for work on the tower. As part of this work, we are having the tower clock electrified too. Work will start on this in Moy 2025. The churchyard continues to be maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers, and we had the lower churchyard extended by having some ground levelling work done. Our Organ Fund which is raising money for essential works to our church organ is still on going. this year we launched sponsor a pipe appeal, which has been going steady. Page 2
The Audio-visual work was completed at the beginning of 2024 and has been used successfully, enhancing our worship experience. 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. 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 ot The Lawns, The Leys, Grosvenor House and Hopwood House. Mission and Evangelism The Growing Mission and Ministry Group enrolled in the Myriad New Worshipping Communities Pathway. As additional support and commitment to expanding our mission, we also joined the Diocesan Mission Accompanier Scheme. Support was provided to the churches in Peru through financial, practical, and prayer contributions. Asslstance was also extended to the Montgomery Heights Christian Care Centre in Zimbabwe and Faith at Work in Worcestershire. where four members of the congregation serve as workplace chaplains in Alvechurch and Redditch. A Peruvian day was organized, integrated into worship, and followed by an event featuring stalls selling Peruvian goods and a shared meal with Peruvian foods. Proceeds supported various areas of ministry in Peru. Regular contributions continue to be made to the food bank run by New Starts in Bromsgrove. For the second consecutive year. a free Christmas Day Community lunch was organized. operated entirely by volunteers, with 70 attendees. Seasonal Ark Lunches continued to be well attended, and links with the church school included the school choir providing entertainment at the Christmas Ark lunch, which was enjoyed by participants. The monthly parish magazine. The Grapevine, remains free of charge and has grown in readership. It provides information about the village of Alvechurch. addresses matters affecting the church, informs readers of activities, and aims to develop knowledge and trust in Jesus Christ. Page 3
Ecumenical Relationships st Laurence is a member of Churches Together in Alvechurch and Rowney Green ICTARG} with joint events held during the year including Advent and Lent courses, and the Christmas light switch-on service. Sl Laurence members continue to be active in the operation of the ecumenical Alvechurch Larder. 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 shared meal. 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. There are no outstanding safeguarding issues. Financial Review Income for Unrestricted Funds in 2024 was £108,951 and in 2023 was £1 19,439. Income for Restricted Funds was £115,259 and in 2023 was £16.336. Expenditures from Unrestricted Funds in 2024 was £118,566 and in 2023 was £152,752. Ministry Share paid in 2024 was £35,213 and £50,000 in 2023. Expenditures from Restricted funds in 2024 was £19.058 and in 2023 was £11,786. Cash reserves of General Unrestricted funds Stood at £50,130 ot the end of 2024 and £59,956 at the end of 2023. representing less than 6 months, expenditure. 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. Page 4
Administrative information There have been significant administrative changes this year. During the year the Parish Administrator, Mrs Lynda Lewis retired. Following a restructure of roles we now have, have Mrs Charlotte Palethorpe as Ark and Building Administrator, and Mrs Michelle Read as Finance Officer. Mrs Penny Walker continues in the shared role as Ministry Support Administrator between St Laurence and St Leonard's. Ms Helen Cran transferred from self-employed to an employee too. Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCMI in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. During the year, the following served as members of the PCC: Priest in Charge Rev Gail Rogers Churchwarden Mr Graham Clark (until May) Mr Mick Fletcher (From May) Mr Michael Davenport Curate Rev Martin Allen Lay Readers Mrs Sue Philips-wardle, Mrs Helen Ayling Mr Mark Blamire-Brown (until May) Treasurer Mrs Michelle Read (from May) Mrs Lysandre Notley Secretary Members Mr Andrew Notley Mr Roger Wardle Mr Peter Freeman Mrs Sue Lambert Mrs Sarah Linton Mr Mark Linton Mrs Linda Helmore Mr Andrew Edwards Page 5
Mr Colin Bennett Ms Sue Sperring Ms Gloria Wilson Mrs Helena Allen 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. The PCC operates through several committees, which meet between full PCC meetings: Finance and Standing Commitlee 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 Ihe 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. 31 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 Anglicon Church and Christians in Peru, and the orphanage at Montgomery Heights Christian Care Centre in Page 6
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 yearwhich 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, slate 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 ne prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Page 7
The Parochial Church Councll of the Ecclesiastlcal Parish of Alvechurch Charity Registration Number: 1131783 Accounts for the year ended 31, December 2024
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Alvechurch Acccounts for the year ended 31st December 2024 Contents Page Independent Examiner's Report Recelpts and Payments Account Slatement of Assels and Liabililies Notes to the Accovnts: l. Accounting Basis 2. Receipts 3. Payments 4. Transfer Between Funds 5. Movement of Accumulated Funds 6. Investment Assets 7. Trustees, Remuneration and Benefits
The Parochial Church Council of the Eccleslastlcal Parlsh of Alvechurch Acccounts for the year ended 31 st December 2024 Independent examlner's report to Ihe members of the PCC of the Eccleslastlcal Parish of Alvechurch for the year ended 31st December 2024. I report on accounts of the Parochial Church Council I'PCC'I of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Alvechurch for the year ended 31st December 2024, which are set out on pages 2 to 8 . Res ective res onsibilities of PCC and the examiner The PCC is responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. They consider that on audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examination is needed. Basis of inde endent exominer's re ort I report in respect of my examination of the PCC'S accounts corried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and in carrying out my exomination, I have followed the applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145151 Ibl of the Charities Act 2011. Inde endent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I hove no concerns ond have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. M.A. Edwards For and on behalf of :_ M. A. Edwards Accountants Limited. Chartered Accountants, 26. The Green. King5 Norton, Birmingham, B38 8SD. Page I
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parlsh of Alvechvrch Acccounts for the year ended 31st December 2024 Recelpls and Payments Account Unreslricled Deslgnated Restricted Fund Funds Funds TOTAL 2024 TOTAL 2023 Note RECEIPTS Voluntary receipts Planned giving Collections at services Other voluntary receipts Gift aid tax recovered Total Voluntary receipts Activities for generating funds Investment receipts Church activities 46.576 4,818 1.235 10,863 63,492 4.600 7,657 12,526 1,494 1,842 98,831 876 103,043 468 4,110 7,638 48.070 6.660 100.116 11.752 166,598 5,316 11.767 40,529 48,184 7.357 13,045 12,865 81.451 5,145 7,944 41.235 21al 50 13 63 248 21bl 21cl 21dl 20,365 Total Recelpts 88,275 20.676 115.259 224,210 135,775 PAYMENTS Church activities Diocesan Ministry Share contributions Clergy & staffing costs Church iunning expenses utilities expenses The Ark running costs Mission giving & donations Cost of generating fund5 other expenses 35,213 22.477 22.191 7.602 35,213 32.473 32,576 14,624 9,270 4.082 1,722 7.664 50,000 20,713 21.332 7.877 7,452 6.204 725 50,235 31al 31bl 31cl 9.996 568 7.022 6,196 9.817 3.074 3,985 1,042 1.140 97 680 900 31dl 5.624 Total Paymenls 89.160 29.406 19.058 137.624 164.538 Excess/(Deficit) off Recelpts over Payments 18851 18.7301 96,201 86,586 128.7631 Transfers between funds 11,6601 1,449 211 Net movemenl in funds {2,545) (7.281) 96.412 86,586 (28,763) Reconclllatlon of funds Accumulated funds b/f Accumulated funds c/f 52,675 50,130 7.281 468,472 564.884 528,428 615.014 557,191 528,428 Page 2
The Parochiol Chvrch Council of the Eccle5ia5tical Parish of Alvechurch Acccounts for the year ended 31st December 2024 statement of Assets and Liabllitles Unrestricted Designated Reststcted Fund Fund Funds TOTAL 2024 TOTAL 2023 Note Cash funds Bank Cash in hand Deposit fvnds 33,644 798 15,688 115,137 148,781 798 266.848 69.896 .321 259,194 251.160 Inveslment assets Investment fund shares at ¢0St 199.764 199,764 199.764 Liabilities Agency Collections 11,7471 50.130 564,884 615.014 528,428 These accounts were approved by Ihe Porochial Church Council on and signed on its behalf by: Revd Gail gers Chair of the Parochiol Church Council Page 3
The Parochial Church Councll of Ihe Eccleslastlcal Parlsh of Alvechurch Acccounts for the year ended 31sl December 2024 Notes lo the Accounts l The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance wth the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using the Receips and Payments ba515. Unrestrlcted Deslgnated Fund Fund Restricted Funds TOTAL 2024 TOTAL 2023 2 RECEIPTS 2(a) Other volunta recei ts other donations Legacies Grants 735 500 50 3,709 500 94,623 4.494 1,000 94,623 2.159 10,338 1,235 50 98.831 100.116 13.045 A sum of £94,623 was received from the National Lotterie5 Fund on 29107124. being the first tranche of a grant towards the costs of refurbishing the church tower. These works are due to start in Spring 2025. 2{b) Activities for eneratin funds Fund raising events Grapevine magazine advertising 2,690 1,910 468 3,406 1,910 2,325 2,820 4.600 468 5.316 5.145 2(c) Investment recei ts Dividends Deposit interest 7,401 256 1,249 2,861 8,650 3,117 1,230 6,714 7,657 4,110 11.767 7.944 2(d) Church activities Fee5 - weddings & funerals The Ark lettings & events other receipts 4,470 2,872 1.439 3,327 7.342 21.333 11.854 12.462 22.482 6,290 19.894 471 8,056 12.526 20.365 7,638 40,529 41,235 Page 4
The Parochlal Church Council of Ihe Ecclesiastlcal Parlsh of Alvechurch Acccounts for the year ended 31st December 2024 Notes to the Accounts Unrestrlcted Deslgnated Reslricled Fund Fund Funds TOTAL 2024 TOTAL 2023 3 PAYMENTS 3(0) Cler & staffin costs Clergy expenses staff costs - odministrotion & ministry supporl 2.374 20,103 2,374 30,099 2,181 18,532 9,996 22,477 9,996 32,473 20,713 st Leonard's Beoley District Church Counil contributes towards 50fo of clergy expenses and 50% of the ministry support odminislrator's salary costs, the receipts for which are shown in church activities, other receipts. 3(b) Church runnin ex enses Fees- weddings & funerals Insurance Repair & maintenance Worship resources Administration Independent Examiner's Fee other expenses 774 6.302 8.096 1,299 3.034 1,128 698 21.332 6,801 5,029 805 3,470 1,176 4.910 22.191 6.801 14,201 805 3.495 1,176 6,098 32,576 125 9.047 25 443 568 745 9,817 3{c) Utilities ex enses Gas Electncity IT & Telecommunications 3,808 3.297 497 7.602 3.014 3.297 711 7.022 6,823 6,594 1.208 14.624 4,069 3,225 582 7.877 3(d) Other ex enses Audio vi5ua5 system installation Professional fees Small equipment purchases 5,624 5.624 2,040 50,212 900 1.140 23 50,235 900 5.624 1.140 7,664 Page 5
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Alvechurch Acccounts for the year ended 31st December 2024 Notes to the Accounts Unrestrlcted Deslgnated Restrlcted Fund Fund Funds 4 TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS 2024 From General Fund to The fund From General Fund to Churchyard Maintenance Fund 11.4491 1,449 211 (1,660) 1.449 211 2023 From General Fund to Audio Visual Fund From Others Fund to Audio Visual Fund 143.8351 43,835 12,000 112,0001 From General Fund fo Ark Fixtures & Fittings Fund 15051 505 From General Fund to Churchyard Maintenance 17881 788 From Others Fund to Generol Fund 632 16321 From General Fund to Clock Fund 41 (44,537) 55,835 (11,298) Page 6
The Parochial Church Councll of the Ecclesiastlcal Parlsh of Alvechurch Acccounts for the year ended 31st December 2024 Notes lo Ihe Accovnls 5 MOVEMENT ON ACCUMULATED FUNDS 01101/24 Recelpts Payments Transfers 31112124 Unrestricted Fund General Fund 52,675 88,275 (89,160) (1,660) 50,130 Desi nated Funds Audio Visual The Ark 5.623 1,658 7.281 15,6231 1?3,7831 (29.406) 20,676 20.676 1,449 1.449 Reslricted Funds Ark Community Fund Ark Fittings & Fixtures Ark Tots & Toddler5 Bells Fund Capital Repair Fund Churchyard Maintenance Icapitall Churchyard Maintence Fund Clock Fund Fabric Fund Music Organ Restoration Fund Olher5 The Ark Recoupment Fund Tower Project Fund Youth Fund 2,086 75 1 ,482 29 11 .2271 13351 12191 1521 859 1,630 3,395 2,337 343,469 40,883 91 3.111 3,563 166 4.574 3,941 58,881 90.292 7,692 564.884 1,890 2,132 2,360 343.469 40,883 4.621 14,7411 211 3,111 4,582 2,861 166 3,466 5.850 13,8801 121 14,2711 2,362 58,881 94,623 14.3311 7,692 468.472 115,259 (19.058) 211 TOTAL FUNDS 528.428 224.210 (137.624) 615.014 The 'Others' Fund holds donotions, on o short term bosis. roised for specific church and charity uses . Page 7
The Parochial Church Councll ol the Eccleslastlcal Parlsh of Alvechurch Acccounts for the year ended 31st December 2024 Noles lo the Accounls 6 INVESTMENT ASSETS Investment Funds The Worcester Diocesan Board of Fiance manages on the PCC'S behalf the followng CBF Church of England Investment Funds.. Marketvalue 31112124 31112123 Fund Name Note Avechurch Black Paddock (Recoupl Avechurch Black Paddock Ch'yrd Maint Avechurch PCC lal Ibl Icl 74,150 46.032 119,534 239,716 70,549 45.002 113.728 229,279 lol Port of the land held by the PCC and known as the 'Black Paddock. was sold in 2003. Part of the proceeds. amounth'ng to £978.710. was v5ed to build The Ark community centre. being an extension to the existing church building. This land had previously been held os a permanent endowment by the PCC as a Irustee in a separate charity 'for burial purposes and extension of the churchyard,. By order of the Charity Commission. the PCC placed £42.000 in an accumulated investment fund. permitting dividends accruing therefrom to be accumulated over 60 years. At the end of the 60 years the investment is to be treated as a permanent endowment. Ibl £40,000 of the proceeds from the sale of'Black Poddock. land was invested in Income shares, whereby the dividends are poid into the Churchyard Maintenance Fund. Icl £IOO,000 from the land sale proceeds in 2022 was invested in an Accumulation Fund. De osil Funds Deposit savings ore held on the CBF Church of Englond Deposit Fund and in bank deposit occounts held on the CAF Charity Deposits Platform. 7 TRUSTEES, REMUNERATION AND BENEFI There were no trustees, remuneration or other benefils for the year ended 31 December 2024. Clergy expenses amounting to £2.37412023 £2.1811 were paid in the yeor. Page 8