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2022-12-31-accounts

Report of the Trustees & Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

CONTENTS

Pages

The Trustees present their report and the independently examined financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2022 . The financial statements have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis and comply with the charity's governing documents, the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956, and the Charities Act 2011.

AIM & PURPOSES

St. Stephen’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, Matt Graham, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the St. Stephen’s Church building, St. Stephen’s Church Halls, and the Curate’s house, 89 Prenton Hall Road.

OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible from the parish of Prenton to worship at St Stephen’s and to become part of the St Stephen’s church family. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can engage and reach the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship enable people to put their faith in Jesus into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament.

To facilitate our continued worship and witness, caring for the congregation as well as meeting the needs of the parish and reaching out effectively to them, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church of St. Stephen’s and the Church Halls.

ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE

From the Vicar

We began 2022 with a theme of hope. Practically and experientially the worst of the Covid pandemic was behind us. Spiritually we wanted to recognise that when rooted in God’s character and promises, we have a hope that will never fail. Our verse for the year; “May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you”, Psalm 33:22; and our January series focused on God’s undiminishing offer of hope for a dejected, disappointed and damaged world. Following this we ran the Hope Explored course in a number of settings through the year.

At a number of points in the year we paused to reflect with thankfulness on God’s faithfulness over the past 125 years. The Bishop of Chester joined us on the anniversary of the laying of the memorial stone for a service of celebration and confirmation. In September we welcomed visitors as part of the Wirral Heritage Open days. Despite covid disrupting our Project 125 building plans, aimed to coincide with the anniversary, the brief report below charts the progress of this.

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A significant new development and opportunity was the decision by Wirral Council to close several libraries including Prenton Dell. We accepted an invitation to submit an initial proposal and then business plan to acquire the lease of the building as part of a Community Asset Transfer scheme. The Vision would be to establish a Prenton Dell community hub from which to serve the community by meeting practical needs; connecting more effectively with that part of the parish, and making the most of opportunities to proclaim the good news of Jesus.

We also committed to providing placement and supervision for two years to Andy Field-Davies, a Chester diocese ordinand in training. Alongside regular ministry experience, the Dell Hub project gives a possible focus for a particularly innovative ministry experience.

Other regular activities such as Little Seeds, home groups, CAMEO and the youth group, and one off events such as Easter Eggstravaganza, Music for a summers evening, Fun Day, Bright Party, Hot Pot Supper, Christmas Craft and A Taste of Christmas have helped us meet our aims of growing people in their faith, and enabling new people to hear about Jesus.

The September PCC instigated a survey and review our pattern of services. We had 75 responses, presented and discussed at November PCC. The results pointed to most people being happy with most things, although we also took time to note with sadness those who have felt hurt by the changes. Overall the PCC felt the pattern achieves the original purpose of the changes, to help us best serve and reach the parish around us with the good news of Jesus (particularly noting in-line with Bishop Mark’s focus on the lost of Chester diocese, that we are here for the 4,000 or so households = approx. 14,000 souls - who make up the parish of Prenton).

This brief report comes with deep and heartfelt thanks to all those who serve in so many varied and often unseen ways to make our life together and service of one another and the community possible.

I commend to you the other reports included here, with thanks to those who have prepared them. If you have any questions or concerns about any aspect of our life and ministry together, I am always more than happy to discuss, or explain anything as best I can.

Matt Graham (Vicar)

REPORTS

Birkenhead Deanery Synod Report

Following a long break in regular gatherings due to Covid, meetings were held in 2022 at Woodchurch in February; St Stephen’s hosted in June (presentation on climate and environmental issues and challenges facing churches by Revd Joe Kennedy); St Bede’s Claughton hosted in October (presentation on mission by Rev Canon Dr Anthony Rostell, Director of Mission and Ministry in the Portsmouth Diocese). With Arron Pilgrim moving away, we carried a casual vacancy for one allocation from July 2022.

Matt Graham

The Church Wardens’ Report

Last year’s report referred to the Energy Audit we had agreed to conduct, to help us work towards carbon-neutral status by 2030. The audit took place in July and the report was received in September. The recommendations included the replacement of all traditional lightbulbs with LED lights, and we have been doing this gradually, as the existing lights fail.

We have also had the pipes in the boiler room lagged, and a gap in the wall filled to prevent heat loss. The auditor was very helpful and suggested that we use traditional draught excluders under the Wevill Door. We are also trying to encourage people to close doors behind them, to help keep the church warm, the bills down, and mitigate the effect on the environment.

We started the process of obtaining a Faculty for the work in the Lady Chapel. Faculty applications are not quick but we made progress and we should be able to have the work done in 2023.

The doors in the Halls are being gradually replaced, having failed the fire safety inspection. (The failure resulted from a change in the official standards, not from any dereliction on the part of anyone at St Stephen’s.) The new doors are a great improvement and, in addition to their fire safety, they improve heat retention and are aesthetically better.

The contract with British Gas Lite has proved providential, in the light of the high cost of energy in general, and gas in particular. It is not easy dealing with BGL, because the only way to contact them is via webchat, but they are efficient and seem good value for money.

We have been busy with the negotiations with Wirral Borough Council regarding Prenton Library, and these have progressed, albeit slowly. It remains to be seen what we will end up doing with the building, but the possibilities are exciting.

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As ever, thanks are due to lots of people who give their time and talents, and their resources, to support the Lord’s work in Prenton. I would like to highlight the Vicar and his family, Chris and Emma Phillips, Richard and Helen Fearnley – especially Helen for her painting – the Welcome Team and all the people who volunteer to provide refreshments after our services.

Rosie Earp – Churchwarden

Report from The Outreach Group (OG)

Outreach events aim to bring the community of Prenton together, including family and friends, to enjoy a variety of events. This year was particularly special, as we celebrated 125 years of St Stephen’s parish. Anna & Matt were responsible for the planning of many events including children’s events, Fun day, and a Taste of Christmas. All activity throughout the past year is listed below:

Discussions were started around the provision of First Aid training for members of the congregation, particularly those who lead groups. Training to start early in 2023.

Finances: Proceeds are used for the purpose of Outreach—

Income: £577.76 & (C/F £289.06) = £866.82

Expenditure: £738.74

Balance at 31[st] December £128.08

Outreach Members: Rev’d Matt Graham, Rosie Earp, Paula Horton (chair), Gill Monteith, Joan Potts, & Dave Bennett Anne Wise retired from the group. She was thanked for her many years of service.

PCC Secretary Report

The PCC began the year with 21 trustees, and closed the year with 18.

Arron Pilgrim retired in July with moving out of the area. Brenda Tollady also retired after receiving emeritus status and standing down as pastoral worker. Carol Vague also retired after transferring her reader’s license to a different church. The PCC met 6 times during the year. Each meeting began with a reading and/or Bible thought and prayer and ended with prayer.

Members for 2022 were:

The Rev Matt Graham Vicar/Chairman Mr Pete Earp Lay Chairman/Reader Mrs Rosie Earp Church Warden Mr Chris Phillips Church Warden Mr Robert Vague Deanery Synod Rep/Reader Emeritus Mrs Joan Potts Deanery Synod Rep

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Mrs Grace Blackmore Retires 2023 Mrs Paula Horton Retires 2023 Mrs Louise Martin Retires 2023 Mr Marshall Thomas Retires 2023 Mr Richard Dunning Retires 2024 Mrs June Macdonald Retires 2024 Mrs Gill Monteith Retires 2024 Mrs Julie Newman-Vidler Retires 2024 Mr Daniel Davies Retires 2025 Mr Richard Fearnley Retires 2025 Mr Steve Vitty Retires 2025 Mrs Jenny Webb PCC Secretary Retires 2025 Mr Arron Pilgrim Deanery Synod Rep Retired Mrs Carol Vague Reader Retired Miss Brenda Tollady Pastoral Worker Ex Officio Retired

The PCC has wide responsibilities, each member being a trustee, and has complied with the duty to have "due regard” to House of Bishops safeguarding policy and practice guidance.

At every meeting there was an opportunity to look back and look forward at events; reports were received from the various committees entrusted with the responsibility of aspects of the work of the PCC which included:

Jenny Webb, PCC Secretary

Project 125

As noted above, covid disrupted plans enough to mean we were unable to embark on the proposed building works in time for our 125[th] anniversary. The glazing of the Lady Chapel has however been successful through the diocesan faculty application process, public notice period and the work has been out to tender. It is hope that the work to make this a more enclosed, independent, and therefore flexible space, for smaller services and meetings will get underway in 2023.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Treasurer’s Report for year ending 31/12/2022

As the incoming treasurer at the start of 2022 I would first pay tribute to my predecessors, Robert Vague as Treasurer, and Chris Jeans as the Parish Recorder, both of whom retired at the end of 2021 after many years of faithful service. Their work has given me a sound basis upon which to fulfil my duties into the future and I am grateful to them for that.

Format: The format of the accounts that follow has changed. This is so that they follow more closely the current Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for the presentation of charity accounts generally. The accounts in the pages that follow therefore include the following tables—

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Income: 2022 has been a year in which the restrictions associated with the Coronavirus pandemic, which hampered the church’s mission in 2020 and 2021, have thankfully been lifted. This has led to the church resuming a more normal pattern of activity, in particular in relation to letting out the halls and function rooms again, to the benefit of both the users and the church. This led to income from such lettings amounting to £18,224, nearly £10,000 more than in 2021 (£8,319). In relation to the general unrestricted funds, planned giving increased by over 3% from £85,407 in 2021 to £88,259 in 2022. In addition to these underlying changes, there were also three, substantial, one-off boosts to the church’s income being—

Overall, the total unrestricted income in 2022 (including the designated income derived from the halls) amounted to £218,802, compared to £147,440 in 2021, an increase of £71,362.

Expenditure: Unrestricted and designated fund expenditure in 2022 amounted to £170,793, compared to £119,284 in 2021, an increase of £50,509. Part of this increase stemmed from the need to deal with the very much higher gas and electricity bills caused by the energy crisis. These totalled £9,364, as compared to the totals in 2021 of £3,728, an increase of some 250%. That said, the bulk of the increase stemmed from two items that are of a non-recurring nature, namely—

Summary: As shown in the SOFA below, though both unrestricted income and expenditure substantially exceeded the equivalent figures in 2021, the increase in income outweighed the increase in expenditure by a large margin, resulting in an overall surplus of £48,073. At the same time, in relation to the Halls finances, which are conducted via a designated fund for ease of reference, the return to a more normal pre-Covid pattern has resulted in the fund more or less breaking even (i.e. an insignificant deficit of £66). In relation to the various restricted funds, there has been little movement in these, pending work being carried out to glaze in the Lady Chapel and actively pursue Project 125 in 2023. As the Balance Sheet shows, the PCC’s total asset rose over the year by some £45,827. As also shown, with

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the general rise in interest rates towards the end of 2022, the bulk of the PCC’s cash reserves has been switched into the account held with the CofE Central Board of Finance Deposit Fund (total £248,133 at the year end), to take advantage of the higher, near money-market, rates of interest offered there (as compared to the HSBC deposit account).

Finally, I would like to thank our Independent Examiner, Tim Odell, for once again checking that the accounts are in good order and comply with the appropriate charity accounting requirements.

Richard Fearnley, Treasurer

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Background

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church; pastoral, ecclesiastical, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for St. Stephen's church, St. Stephen's church halls and the curate's house, which it owns.

Membership of the PCC and Trustees of the Parish

Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. The Trustees listed in the PCC Secretary’s Report served as members of the PCC during the year.

Incumbent & Clergy

Revd Matt Graham Vicar and Chair of Trustees

Committees

There are a number of committees that attend to different aspects of the business of the PCC. They are as follows:

Standing Committee

This is the only committee required by law. It has the power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council.

Outreach and Mission Group

This committee exists to to facilitate growth and reaching out into the community to further our aims and objectives as a parish.

Project 125 Building Committee

A working group to facilitate and progress plans for building works associated with our 125th anniversary.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Charity number 1131998

Principal address Parish Office, St Stephen's Church Hall, 11 Prenton Lane, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH42 8LA

Trustees PCC Members for 2021/22 (as listed in the PCC Secretary’s report)

Independent examiner Timothy Odell FCA, CA(SA)

Bankers HSBC - Grange Precinct, Birkenhead

Reports and financial statements approved by order of the board of trustees (PCC) on 16th March 2023 and signed on its behalf by its Chairman, Revd Matt Graham (Vicar)

Signature________

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Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen’s Church Prenton

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen’s Church Prenton for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act'). I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

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:

I confirm that there are no other matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed by ________ (Timothy Odell) on 8[th] March 2023

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Statement of Financial Activities 2022

Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment Total Funds
funds funds funds funds 2022 2021
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies 168,126 - 2,656 - 170,782 122,842
Income from charitable activities 8,463 - 129 - 8,592 7,743
Other trading activities 520 18,224 - - 18,744 8,553
Investments 11,323 - 971 - 12,295 11,100
Other income 12,144 - - - 12,144 1,168
Total income 200,578 18,224 3,756 - 222,559 151,406
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 287 - 188 - 476 106
Expenditure on charitable activities 151,148 18,255 1,464 - 170,869 115,907
Other expenditure 1,067 33 161 - 1,262 551
Total expenditure 152,504 18,289 1,814 - 172,608 116,564
Net income / (expenditure) before
transfer 48,073 -66 1,942 - 49,950 34,842
Transfers:
Gains/losses on investment assets - - - -4,124 -4,124 -
Net movement in funds 48,073 -66 1,942 -4,124 45,827 34,842
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds b/f from 2021 267,194 4,589 67,176 35,027 373,988 339,145
Total funds carried forward 315,268 4,523 69,118 30,904 419,815 373,988
Represented by
Unrestricted
General Fund 315,268 - - - 314,527 267,194
Designated
Halls Income And Expenditure Fund - 4,523 - - 4,523 4,589
Restricted
Clergy Training - - 951 - 951 -
Hall Equipment - - 216 - 216 -
Len Ellis Restricted Fund - - 4,622 - 4,622 4,804
Mawby Memorial Income Fund - - 24,308 - 24,308 23,341
Mission To Young People - - 5,279 - 5,279 5,100
Outreach Fund - - 83 - 83 289
Project 125 Fund - - 33,558 - 33,558 33,543
Vicar's Discretionary Fund - - 98 - 98 98
Endowment
Mawby Memorial Endowment Fund - - - 30,904 30,904 35,027

There may be minor discrepancies in the totals where the pence are not shown

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Balance Sheet at 31 December 2022

Balance Sheet at 31 December 2022
As at As at
31/12/2022 31/12/2021
Fixed assets
Former curate's house 87,000 87,000
Total Fixed assets 87,000 87,000
Current assets
Bank current account 19,264 42,218
Planned Giving Account 16 9
Fundraising Account - 9,241
Halls Account - 4,589
Bank deposit account 5,252 32,020
Development Account (R) - 39,030
Mawby Income Account (R) 24,309 23,341
Len Ellis Account (R) 4,624 4,804
CCLA (CBF) deposit account 248,133 96,704
Mawby Endowment Investments 30,904 35,027
Petty Cash 200 -
Cash in hand 110 -
Total Current assets 332,815 286,988
Net Asset surplus (deficit) 419,815 373,988
Reserves
Excess/(deficit) to date 49,950 -
Starting balances 373,988 373,988
Gains/(losses) on investment assets -4,124 -
Total Reserves 419,815 373,988
Represented by Funds
General (Unrestricted) 314,527 267,194
Designated (Halls Income and Expenditure) 4,523 4,589
Restricted 69,118 67,176
Endowment 30,904 35,027
Total 419,815 373,988

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Analysis of Income 2022

Analysis of Income 2022
Total Total
General Designated Restricted 2022 2021
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Gift Aided Donations by SO 73,665 - - 73,665 69,537
Gift Aided Donations by Envelope 4,444 - - 4,444 4,780
Other planned giving 10,150 - - 10,150 11,090
Loose plate collections 3,452 - - 3,452 2,805
One-off Gift Aid gifts 2,710 - - 2,710 5,000
Donations appeals etc 745 - - 745 4,045
Tax recoverable on Gift Aid 36,649 - - 36,649 15,158
Legacies 32,714 - - 32,714 5,000
Non-recurring one-off grants 985 - 2,000 2,985 938
Other funds generated 2,608 - 656 3,264 4,489
Donations and legacies Totals 168,126 - 2,656 170,782 122,842
Income from charitable activities
Income from Church Events 1,158 - - 1,158 -
Votive candles 24 - - 24 87
Catering/refreshments 1,910 - 129 2,039 1,733
Flowers 130 - - 130 30
Fees for weddings and funerals 5,240 - - 5,240 5,893
Income from charitable activities Totals 8,463 - 129 8,592 7,743
Other trading activities
Traidcraft sales - fund raising 520 - - 520 197
Church hall lettings - fund raising - 18,224 - 18,224 8,319
Outreach - - - - 14
Photocopying, etc - - - - 23
Other trading activities Totals 520 18,224 - 18,744 8,553
Investments
Dividends - - 922 922 54
Bank interest 1,673 - 49 1,723 946
Rent from Curate's House 9,650 - - 9,650 10,100
Investments Totals 11,323 - 971 12,295 11,100
Other income
On-line shopping income 80 - - 80 87
Insurance claims 12,064 - - 12,064 1,081
Other income Totals 12,144 - - 12,144 1,168
Income and endowments Grand totals 200,578 18,224 3,756 222,559 151,406

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Analysis of Expenditure 2022

Total Total
**General ** Designated Restricted 2022 2021
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Refreshments and other event costs 287 - 188 476 106
Raising funds Totals 287 - 188 476 106
Expenditure on charitable activities
Missionary societies 5,000 - - 5,000 1,622
Relief and development agencies 1,956 - - 1,956 1,822
Home mission 2,887 - - 1,887 3,324
Secular charities 1,000 - - 2,000 1,622
Traidcraft 52 - - 52 131
Parish share 69,666 - - 69,666 68,132
Fees paid to Diocese 2,078 - - 2,078 3,000
Parish administrator 4,435 4,435 - 8,870 7,452
Clergy expenses 955 - 204 1,160 240
Council tax 2,500 - - 2,500 2,423
Vicarage - water 803 - - 803 795
Vicar's telephone 221 - - 221 -
Publicity - - 205 205 154
Children's Work Expenses - - 144 144 649
Church insurance 4,516 - - 4,516 5,285
Organist 3,200 - - 3,200 2,775
Church maintenance 4,133 - - 4,133 2,404
Cleaning 503 - - 503 -
Upkeep of services 655 - 126 782 578
Flowers 115 - - 115 30
Upkeep of churchyard 194 - - 194 258
Administration 948 - - 948 1,547
Church running - electricity 1,708 - - 1,708 1,034
Church running - gas 4,658 - - 4,658 1,247
Church running - water 391 - - 391 306
Hall running - electricity - 1,395 - 1,395 1,004
Hall running - gas - 1,603 - 1,603 443
Hall running - insurance - 1,521 - 1,521 1,827
Hall running - maintenance - 7,808 150 7,958 3,585
Hall running - telephone - 569 - 569 1,001
Hall running - water - 399 - 399 384
Church major repairs - structure 16,764 - - 16,764 -
Hall + major repairs - installation 19,728 - - 19,728 -
Hall - Equipment - 522 633 1,155 -
Curate's house - upkeep 2,073 - - 2,073 833
Expenditure on charitable activities Totals 151,148 18,255 1,464 170,869 115,907
Other expenditure
Staff training 495 - 48 543 -
Bank charges 195 33 113 342 -
Professional fees 376 - - 376 551
Other expenditure Totals 1,067 33 161 1,262 551
Expenditure Grand totals 152,504 18,289 1,814 172,608 116,564

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Charitable Giving 2022

Missionary societies

Bible Society
Crosslinks
Open Doors
Wycliffe
Relief & Development Agencies
British Red Cross (Ukraine)
Christian Aid
Home Mission
Charles Thompson Mission
CPAS
Leeds University CU
Family support grants
Secular Charities
Birkenhead Forum Housing
TOTAL		 1,000
2,000
1,000
1,000
531
1,425
1,000
1,000
500
387
1,000
10,843

Church and Halls Repairs 2022

Church building
Repair of storm damage to roof
less proceeds of insurance claims
Excess under policy x 2
Church - Other work to roof(1)
Net cost of work to roof
Church Halls
Replacement of doors(2)
Total
Notes		 12,564
12,064
500
4,200
4,700
19,729
24,429

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Halls Income and Expenditure 2022

Income

Income from hire of halls/rooms

Income from hire of halls/rooms
Expenditure
Parish Administrator (50%)
Electricity
Gas
Insurance
Maintenance
Telephone
Water
Equipment
Bank Charges
Net loss		 18,224
4,435
1,395
1,603
1,521
7,808
569
399
522
33
18,289
-66

Fund Movements Summary 2022

Fund Balances b/f
Incoming
Outgoing
Gains and
Balances c/f
01/01/2022
Resources
Resources
Losses
31/12/2022
Unrestricted
General Fund
Designated
Halls Income And Expenditure Fund
Restricted
Clergy Training Fund
Hall Equipment Fund
Len Ellis Fund
Mawby Memorial Income Fund
Mission To Young People Fund
Outreach Fund
Project 125 Fund
Vicar's Discretionary Fund
Endowment
Mawby Memorial Endowment Fund
Totals		 267,194
200,578
152,504
-
315,268
4,589
18,224
18,289
-
4,523
-
1,000
48
-
951
-
1,000
783
-
216
4,804
4
186
-
4,622
23,341
966
-
-
24,308
5,100
753
574
-
5,279
289
-
205
-
83
33,543
32
16
-
33,558
98
-
-
-
98
35,027
-
-
-4,124
30,904
373,988
222,559
172,608
-4,124
419,815

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