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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Saint Andrew, The Westlands

2023-12-31-accounts

St. Andrew’s Church in the Westlands, - - Newcastle under Lyme

in the Diocese of Lichfield

www.churchinthewestlands.org.uk

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

CHARITY COMMISSION REFERENCE 1132163

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2023

(Incorporating the Annual Accounts of the Lichfield Diocesan Trust no 1439 St Andrew the Westlands)

Incumbent:

Revd Andrew Dawswell The Vicarage 50, Kingsway West Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 3PU

Bank: National Westminster Bank plc 75, High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 1PN

Independent Examiner: Richard Booth 117 Dartmouth Ave, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire ST5 3NR

Welcome

Welcome to the Annual Report and Accounts of St. Andrew’s Church, Westlands and welcome to our Church, whether you are a regular or a newcomer just paying us a visit. Please come back soon!

A special welcome to any who have joined us for the first time this year, it is good to have new people with us as we try and grow together as part of God’s Church here in the Westlands.

The Annual Report should provide you with all the legally required information, but hopefully it will also provide you with a flavour of what has taken place at St. Andrew’s over the last year.

This will also be supplemented by a number of other reports to be presented at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) on Sunday 12[th] May at 6.30pm. Please feel free to join us then if you can.

If you would like to know more about our work then please ask the Vicar, Churchwardens or any other members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC).

Administrative Information

St. Andrew’s is situated at the top of Pilkington Avenue in the heart of the Westlands.

St. Andrews is registered as a Charity with the Charity Commission, reference 1132163, as The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Andrew, the Westlands . Its working name is St. Andrew’s PCC, Westlands and further details of our registration can be found on the Charity Commission website, along with Annual Reports from previous years, which can also be found on the Church website.

The Correspondence address for the Charity is that of the Vicarage: 50, Kingsway West, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 3PU

Trustees

The Trustees of the Charity are the members of the PCC of St. Andrew’s Church in the Westlands. Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected by the APCM in accordance with the Church Representation Rules.

Our vicar, Andrew Dawswell serves as Chairman, along with:

Until May 2023: Margaret Hollins (churchwarden), Alan Swanborough, Helen Collins (Churchwarden), Sara Froggatt, Helen McGarry, Gillian Moss, Stuart Rushton, Chris Gill (treasurer), Irene Hardacre, Jane Machin, Sam Jones (Secretary), Stuart Jackson, Tania Arnold, Bob Bell, Naomi Savage, Paul Honeyfield, Naomi Savage & Marie Bateman; and our deanery synod reps: Glenys Gill & Helen Swanborough.

From May 2023: Margaret Hollins (churchwarden), Helen Collins (Secretary), Sara Froggatt, Helen McGarry, Gillian Moss, Stuart Rushton, Chris Gill (treasurer), Irene Hardacre, Jane Machin, Sam Jones (Churchwarden), Stuart Jackson, Tania Arnold, Bob Bell, Naomi Savage, Marie Bateman, David Leech, Karen Gallagher & Steve Forrester; and our deanery synod reps: Glenys Gill, Helen Swanborough & Alan Swanborough

Structure, governance and management

The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure (1956), as amended, and the Church Representation Rules.

As well as having oversight of the general finances of the Church, the PCC are also Managing Trustees of the Lichfield Diocesan Trust no 1439 St. Andrew the Westlands (a separate charity with registration number 203230). The capital element of this trust has for many years been invested so as to provide an income stream for the Church, the capital element being held as restricted funds and the interest or income being paid over to the main charity to be utilised by the PCC for the work of the Church generally. We envisage however that the whole of this trust is likely to be expended in the coming year as part of the financing of our major building project. The finances for this trust are incorporated within the financial statements that follow.

The PCC has ultimate responsibility for a wide range of matters affecting the Parish and endeavours to keep itself abreast of current information on such issues as Health and Safety, Disability Discrimination legislation and Child Protection either through “local” guidance or through wider Diocesan advice, or often a mixture of both.

Apart from the Standing Committee of the PCC, the Church has three significant ongoing committees to consider its important areas of work – Worship; Mission Partners; and Facilities. PCC members generally each serve on at least one committee along with others who have a keen interest in the particular area covered by the committee. These committees will bring recommendations to the PCC for consideration. Each has a delegated authority to spend up to £200. Non-routine expenditure above this sum requires two quotations and Standing Committee authorisation.

In addition, a funding committee for the new hall project has continued, also taking the lead in setting a new direction when the original scheme proved to be unaffordable

Objectives and Activities

The primary objective of the PCC is to promote the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and in accordance with the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure (1956), as amended, it co-operates with the minister in promoting within the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

For the majority of 2023 we continued using the mission statement of the Church in the Westlands local ecumenical partnership that we shared with St Peters ‘we are committed in the power of the Holy Spirit that our worship, service and witness will demonstrate to everyone the love of Jesus Christ.’ Though there is nothing in that we would disagree with, we decided to review the words we use in our publicity, and in September agreed instead to use the following, which we are calling our 'welcome message’

Public Benefit

The trustees of the Charity are aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit and have had regard to it in their administration of the Charity.

The trustees believe that, by promoting the work of the Church of England in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Saint Andrew, the Westlands, it helps to promote the whole mission of the Church (pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical) more effectively, within the Ecclesiastical Parish, and that in doing so it provides a benefit to the public by:

Volunteer Input

In all of this, we are immensely grateful for all those who willingly give of their time to contribute to the charitable activities of the PCC or in providing funds. The extensive nature of all our volunteers is such that it would be almost impossible to quantify the contribution in terms of hours or an indicative value of this contribution.

Many of those on our Electoral Roll are willing volunteers in one form or another and the work undertaken in meeting our objectives simply could not happen without the considerable contribution of many people within the Parish and beyond.

Achievements and Performance

Worship & Bible study

Three regular Sunday worship services have largely continued in the established pattern, though from October, where there is a fifth 10:45am service in the month, this has been communion. Wednesday Morning Prayer and Friday Compline have also continued, being held online. Many special services have also been arranged, including:

Online worship videos were produced until December, the work being shared with St Giles and the Bucknall ministry team. These were also made available via telephone.

Four different homegroup Bible study groups met during the year, three in person and one online. Studies looked at Jesus’ parables, the importance of the Bible to Christians and how to get the most out of the different types of writing within it, and finally the book of Isaiah.

Andrew produced and ran a Lent course focussing mainly on the core teachings of Christianity, but including some comparisons to Islamic teaching.

Members of St Andrews participated in shared worship at the Congregational church in January as well as Good Friday and Christmas services in the town centre, arranged by Newcastle Churches Together.

Pastoral visiting, bereavement visits and home communions continue; a group gave out personal invitations to our Harvest services; and another went carol singing locally in December

Children & families ministry

Ably assisted by many volunteers, Naomi continued to organise a range of activities for children and families, including:

Social & Community activities

The weekly Renew Westlands Café was launched on 24[th] May, offering refreshments, company, activities and an optional prayer time, and is based on the Renew Wellbeing model. It is open to all but specifically aims to be a safe space for those who may not feel OK.

Other events this year included:

5 editions of the Link leaflet were distributed to around 2500 homes in the parish, publicising the church’s activities and offering a welcome to anyone wishing to participate.

Charity & Fundraising

Our main 6 Mission Partners remain the same: Katia Rocks ministering in Brazil with the Church Mission Society (CMS), Bible Society, Brighter Futures, Open Doors, Tearfund and Scripture Union. Katia and her children visited on 19[th] February to speak about her work. Helen Collins organised a Brazilian stall in December raising £133 for CMS.

The usual Open Café and Big Quiz this year raised £1350 and £280 for Tearfund. A further £124 was given to Tearfund by those enjoying mulled wine and mince pies after the all-age carol service.

Simon Wright continued to pass on donations for the foodbank, as well as collecting shoeboxes to be distributed in Eastern Europe by the Link to Hope charity. He also coordinated the delivery of around 1000 envelopes during Christian Aid week, resulting in £600 being raised.

Toys and toiletries donated at the all-age carol service were passed on Elizabeth House and Find the Glow refuge. Harvest donations were distributed locally to those in need and given to Arch women’s refuge. The collection at the Christingle service was passed on to The Children’s Society, and the Remembrance Sunday collection went to the British Legion.

Business & Governance

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting was held on the 7[th] May 2023. 14 PCC members were elected; along with 3 deanery synod reps who will serve for the next 3 years. Helen Collins stood down as churchwarden and grateful thanks were expressed to her for the 4 years she had served, as well for as the ongoing renovation work she continued to oversee. Sam Jones was elected as a new churchwarden and Margaret Hollins was reelected. The PCC met 6 times during the year, taking numerous decisions, including authorising work to replace the church hall and the adoption of a new welcome message (replacing our previous mission statement):

“Welcoming the whole community, discovering God’s love, following Jesus’ teaching”

The church’s Mission Action Plan was also reviewed during the year, and is to be updated in 2024.

The church’s Safeguarding and Vulnerable Adults policies were reviewed and updated.

Naomi chaired a meeting in July to discuss how best to engage with the community via social media; this group is continuing to meet

After many years of serving as Verger, Sandra Baker has relocated therefore Sue Maddison and Jane Riddle agreed to share this role going forward.

Sam Jones, Churchwarden

Update on St Andrew's 2022-23 Mission Action Plan Our Mission For a number of years we have seen the mission that the Lord has entrusted to us as being summarized. a) In our partnership mission statement . As the Church in the Westlands we are committed in the power of the Holy Spirit that our worship, service and witness will demonstrate to everyone the love of Jesus Christ,. b) In the four major priorities of the early church as described in Acts 2:42 'And they devoted themselves to the apostles, teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers., i.e. the aims to be.. a learning church, a caring church, a worshipping church, and evangelizing church. Our Vision At the end of 2021 the PCC identified 3 areas of thurch life which we thought would particularly need to be focused on for the next couple of years Carried over from our previous plan are the emphases on.. Reaching New Generations and Renewing our Buildings In addition, in the light of the realities of 2020 & 2021, we also prioritized.. Recovery from effects of Covid and lockdown Our 2022-2023 Plan Progress to date 1. Reaching new generations ,1 Al'i Supporting and partnering our children & families worker to enable full re- start and further development of work with children and families. Key aims include: Re-start of Messy church Development of leaders to work alongside worker Small group to investigate Further development of facebook outreach by Naomil Chris Gilll digital possibilities for St Margaret Hollins IAndrew, guided more recently by fomiation of Andrew's, including social Social media group. media development, We have recenlly gone back to audio recordings of sermons., Video videollivestreaming & telephone ServI￿S had continued throughout 202213, shared with other churches, but were stopped when the demand dropped Re-start accomplished Almost all leaders re-started, and several extras also recruited. This put us in a much better place than we would otherwise have been to cope with Naomi's sudden absen￿. Review of Sunday morning worship An encouraging number of 3040's joined around 2022 and this encouraged us instead to continue evolution of 10.45 service

  1. Renewing our buildings Completing funding Church members have given very generously to the new hall (including 'AII things project. With extemal grants and existing PCC funds it is currently bright and beautiful, and looking as if we have sufficient funding in place,. although further Auction) and so enabling gifts will be welcome to help preserve PCC funds for our ongoing building work for new hub ministry. to start. Coping with a year's disruption to our site. The new plan, though far less disruplive, will still bring some challenges over the 7-8 months build period Re-launching the availability of our new premises. This will still need to be done, although VAT rules provide a limit on the number of paid external bookings we can initially accept.
  2. Recovery from effects of COVID and lockdown To include Re-starting and re- recruiting for Sunday worship rotas. Fuller re-launching of choirlmusic grouplband. We are grateful to all who played a part in our Covid recovery- we are probably close to where we would have been as a church without the pandemic, even despite a couple of families leaving the area 2 new recruits to the band have been very welcomel Also Explore feasibility of re- activating a group planning special events to invite guests to. Review of: Logo We decided to retain our'church in the Wetlands logo, Mission Statement A 'welcome statement, with accompanying graphics was agreed Completing re-issue of prayer literaturelbooklet. Interviews in main service Several inteNiews have been conducted to spell out what different church roles involve partly to encourage prayer, sometimes as a means of encouraging others to considerjoining the team Group met at start of 2024 and the years programme of events has been agreed Prayer diary issues May 2022 PCC in Nov 2023 decided to extend the time-frame of this Mission Action Plan a little and to produce a new plan around mid-2024

2023 Report on the fabric of the church

The Facilities Committee, consisting of 7 members, is responsible for the maintenance of the church buildings, and is led by Margaret Hollins. It has met six times in 2023.

Church Building

A major focus of the start of the year was the completion of the last Quinquennial Inspection required work, on the upper level window surrounds and guttering. The QI work was completed by May, with a considerable amount of financial investment. Some snagging work, arising from a routine external inspection, is still to be carried out.

The routine maintenance plan, set up in 2022, had extra checks added to it, and inspection tasks, both inside and outside the church, are followed up on a quarterly basis.

A number of window breakages have occurred during the year, arising from children playing football. These have been repaired promptly but the incidence remains a concern. Numerous small tasks have been undertaken by Alan Swanborough and Bob Bell, with assistance from Robin Dawson, Stuart Jackson and Stuart Rushton. These tasks include carpet cleaning, painting putty, removing graffiti from the outside walls.

There was a focus on energy saving, with a project being undertaken to install reflector sheet behind the church radiators, and LED bulbs being installed in all the church lights. We also replaced the light high over the stairs with a more accessible new light, controlled by infrared sensors at the top and bottom of the stairs. Stuart Jackson carried out a report on the church heating

A flood of the church office/choir vestry, arising from the upstairs toilet, resulted in a major project to clean up, dry out and refurbish the room. It was decided that, as the room was no longer used as a choir vestry, we would furnish the room as an office/small meeting room. This took some months to achieve, but with the help of the insurance company and the whole Committee, we now have a more comfortable office and a useful room for small meetings.

The shelving in the Parish Room store was strengthened by Robin Dawson and Alan Swanborough, and David Leech constructed some wooden rails attached to the lectern to help with health & safety for those undertaking bible reading and leading prayers.

The hire fees and heating charges for the church and parish room have been reviewed during the year.

Church hall

In anticipation of the hall replacement in 2024, maintenance has been kept to a minimum. Some fluorescent tubes have been replaced, the kitchen sink has been unblocked a number of times, and a catch on a toilet door was replaced.

Chris Gill continues to do an excellent job on hall bookings. As well as regular church usage, there were 13 one-off bookings. The number of regular hall bookings has decreased to two, but there appears to be outside interest in booking the hall in future, so hopefully the new hall will be well used.

Church Grounds:

The church lawns are cut every three weeks from spring to autumn, which helps to maintain a tidy appearance. Two gardening days were held in July; adverse weather

conditions restricted the amount of work possible at the two planned days in October, but a further session in November enabled a good amount of leaf-clearing to tidy up for the winter period. We are very grateful to those church members who came along to help the Committee with maintaining the grounds. Some of the worst potholes in the driveway were repaired. The oil tank was inspected and it is planned to carry out the recommended repaint in the spring of 2024.

Jane Machin stood down as Health & Safety Officer after two years’ in post, and we are grateful for her hard work. Robin Dawson has kindly agreed to take on this role.

The church is indeed blessed with the membership of the Facilities Committee, who continue to undertake a large number of maintenance and repair tasks. May I express my grateful thanks to Alan, Bob, Stuart Jackson, Stuart Rushton, Robin and David for their hard work.

Margaret Hollins, Churchwarden

Faith in the Future / New Hall Project

The Committee steering this project have met on some nine or ten occasions in 2023. Stuart Jackson kindly agreed to join the group which has proved very helpful in bringing his knowledge and expertise to the task.

Fundraising efforts have continued during 2023, with a Garage Sale in August raising well over £1000, and a cheese and wine evening at Newcastle Golf Club in September, with Charles Hanson giving a talk about his career and doing valuations, raising £1290. Other efforts have included the making and selling of jam by Marion Denham, so far raising well over £1000, and a stall of Christmas items made by the Craft and Chat group, raising £120. Bob Bell started the collection of unwanted foreign coins and valuable metals, and this has raised the fantastic sum of over £9000. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported these efforts, and to those who have organised and helped with the administration of them.

Discussions with Fords of Blythe Bridge progressed to the point where in September they were able to give us a formal quotation. As we already had sight of around 90% of the expected costs, a special PCC in October were unanimous in agreeing to give our written acceptance to this; we also prepared the publicity for a second appeal to the congregation to help bridge the funding gap. The very generous response to this, combined with a reduction in the level of professional fees that we had allowed for, mean that the present position (Feb 2024) is that we have sufficient funding in place to cover the anticipated £609K costs; although further gifts will be welcome to help preserve PCC funds for our ongoing ministry.

A revised plan of a design and build hall undertaken by Fords of Blythe Bridge, with Crofts architects, has been granted planning permission subject to a bat survey of the old hall. This survey will be undertaken at the earliest opportunity, i.e. in May 2024, and if the survey result is satisfactory, it is hoped to start on the build process soon afterwards.

Margaret Hollins, Churchwarden

More details of our current work can also be found on the Church website

Newcastle under-Lyme Deanery Synod

There were 3 meetings of the Newcastle Deanery Synod in 2023 and a further meeting in January 2024

The first meeting of the year was held at St. Thomas Kidsgrove on the 16th January 2023, where Revd. Zoe Hemming, the Diocesan Enabling All Advisor helped us look at “Inclusion of people who are disabled in our churches and the 'enabling all scheme'”.

The second meeting of Synod was held at St. Michaels and All Angels Church, Cross Heath on the 22nd May 2022, when John Polhill, former Chair of the Church of England’s Energy Advisers Network, and former Sustainability Adviser for the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), helped us look at Church Heating and other measures in moving towards the Church of England commitment to a target of net zero carbon by 2030.

The third meeting of the year was on Monday 16th October at St. Marys Knutton, where the main speaker was Dr Ruth Fish, the Children’s Youth and Families Minister at Madeley and Betley who spoke on the subject of “Setting up a Children and Families Ministry”.

A further meeting was held on the 17th January 2024 planned for St. Thomas Kidsgrove, but belatedly transferred to an on-line meeting on account of the forecast weather conditions. The speaker was Revd. Malcolm Mycock, a member of the Bucknall and Abbey Hulton team ministry based at St. Mary’s Bucknall, and also involved with “KEYS”, a church-based programme for supporting drug and alcohol users which was the subject of his presentation.

Chris Gill, Lay chair

AGENDA OF ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

12th May 2024 6.30pm

Annual Vestry Meeting

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Financial Review

The financial accounts for 2023 are set out in their required form in the following pages.

Certain of our income and funds have been received for a specific object, for example the employment of our Children’s & Families Worker, but now more prominently the Church Hall replacement. Accordingly, these amounts are categorised as restricted funds and may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund and cannot be used for the Church’s general use, unless agreed to in writing by the original donors. All other income and funds are categorised as unrestricted funds and are available for general use.

The accounts for the year show that in respect of Unrestricted or General Funds the PCC's expenditure exceeded income and endowments by £5,400. This deficit largely arises from one-off expenditure on further repairs arising from the previous quinquennial inspection of the church building amounting to £23,785. Over the last 10 years the finances within General Funds have been particularly influenced by one-off items of income and expenditure and the 5 year analysis in the table below provides a little more clarity to the recent financial position.

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
£ £ £ £ £
General (Unrestricted) Funds
Opening Balance 115,732 318,531 297,814 226,112 183,992
On-goingincome 118,122 104,005 126,936 120,495 126,779
Diocesan Common Fund contribution -85,356 -86,952 -79,781 -73,068 -66,376
Other On-goingexpenditure -40,221 -37,770 -33,724 -40,514 -42,268
On-going surplus/ (deficit) -7,455 -20,717 13,431 6,913 18,135
Legacies 218,999 0 5,500 1,113 250
Quinquennial Repairs -8,745 0 -90,633 -1,097 -23,785
New Building 0 0 0 -49,049
Total In-year surplus/ (deficit) 202,799 -20,717 -71,702 -42,120 -5,400
Closing Balance 318,531 297,814 226,112 183,992 178,592

The main reason for the improved “on-going” position in 2023 (from a surplus of £6,913 to a surplus of £18,135), is the further reduction in the Diocesan Common Fund contribution (previously “Parish Share”) following a change in the system of apportionment. This will begin to rise again in 2024 and beyond. Other on-going expenditure has risen to reflect inflationary increases and there has been an increase in on-going income, which is largely attributable to income from investments (which includes Bank Interest) following the improvement in interest rates during the year. There has also been an encouraging increase in planned giving to the General Fund, slightly in excess of 3%. The on-going surplus continues to be above the level of the contribution set aside each year (£5,000) towards future quinquennial repairs, which is good news.

With the total in-year deficit of £5,400 within General Funds, Unrestricted Reserves reduce by that figure, and, consequently, at the 31st December 2023 they amount to £178,592.

Before adjusting for the Gains on investment assets, restricted funds income and endowments exceeded expenditure by £109,951, which is largely the considerable level of fund raising for the Building Fund, as offset by a deficit within the Children and Families Worker Fund.

Restricted reserves amount to £434,898 at the 31st December 2023, the breakdown of which is as follows:

Children and Families Worker £5,385
Flower Fund £2,705
Organ Fund £1,756
The Puppet Ministry Fund £67
Renew Café Fund £1,244
New BuildingFund £345,505
Trust Fund £78,235
£434,898

During 2023 it was agreed that the Trust Fund could be applied to the Building Fund work when needed, and also that up to £95,000 of unrestricted reserves could be used in the same way. Consequently, at the end of 2023, up to £518,700 had been received or made available for the Building Fund. However, the first 3 weeks of 2024 saw important changes to this position:

Looking forward, the financial position for General Funds is a little more un-certain than in 2023. It is anticipated that there will be a need to support the Children and Families Worker Fund from General Funds during 2024, as the historical reserves for this fund are used up. Annual expenditure has exceeded annual income for some time and there is also likely to be a need for further and continuing on-going support from 2025.

The Construction of the new hall will also bring about changes to the finances of the Church in 2024 and ongoing. It is anticipated that both regular income and expenditure will be reduced for 2024 and, overall, this is likely to have minimum impact. However, construction in 2024 will reduce the level of the bank balances and the Trust Fund and, therefore, the amount that the Church earns through interest and dividends. The reduction in income could be in the region of £4,500 in 2024 and a further £3,000 in 2025, so £7,500 annually from the income within General Funds

A basic forecast for general fund finances for 2024 and 2025, adjusted to reflect the impact of the final position for 2023, and the adjustments described in the paragraphs above, is shown in the table at the top of the next page. As usual, the forecasts are based around a number of assumptions, which may or may not materialise, and, when compounded by the uncertainties faced around the timing of the work on the new building, the forecasts could yet change - but it is the best we have for now.

Forecast Forecast
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
£ £ £ £ £
General (Unrestricted) Funds
Opening Balance 297,814 226,112 183,992 178,592 87,864
On-goingincome 126,936 120,495 126,779 119,046 117,995
Diocesan Common Fund contribution -79,781 -73,068 -66,376 -67,704 -69,058
Other On-goingexpenditure -33,724 -40,514 -42,268 -41,528 -45,732
Support for C&FW Fund -5,292 -12,435
On-going surplus /(deficit) 13,431 6,913 18,135 4,522 -9,230
Legacies 5,500 1,113 250
Quinquennial Repairs -90,633 -1,097 -23,785 -250
New Building 0 -49,049
Support for New BuildingFund -95,000
Total In-year surplus /(deficit) -71,702 -42,120 -5,400 -90,728 -9,230
Closing Balance 226,112 183,992 178,592 87,864 78,634

Under this scenario, the annual on-going position in 2024, although a surplus, would not be sufficient to be able to contribute £5,000 to future quinquennial repairs. 2024 also includes the maximum support agreed for the new building fund (£95,000) and this reduces the unrestricted reserves to £87,864 at the end of 2024.

In 2025 the forecast shows increased support for the Children and Families Worker fund amounting to £12,435, and an on-going deficit for the year of £9,230. Again, this is before making a contribution to quinquennial repairs.

Reserves Policy

The Charity Commission requires trustees of each Charity to:

The PCC briefly reviewed its unrestricted reserves policy and its application, when approving the 2022 accounts on 20th March 2023 and, as in previous years, it considered four main elements. These elements are set out again below, with an updated commentary, which the PCC agreed to when approving the accounts on the 18th March 2024.

At the 31st December 2023 free unrestricted funds amount to £138,592, but the latest forecasting suggests that by 31[st] December 2024 this may have dropped to around £42,864, largely because of the commitment of £95,000 to the building works. The forecast deficit for 2025, would reduce free reserves to £28,634, but given that this is currently an on-going deficit it is suggested that the remaining reserves should be retained for the third element of the reserves. This provides two further years of funding for the deficit currently forecasted and, at this stage, it would not, therefore, be prudent to release funding for any other one-off items of expenditure. This should be reviewed once more is known about the potential cost of building repairs arising from the next quinquennial inspection.

Forecast Forecast
2023 2024 2025
£ £ £
General (Unrestricted) Funds
Opening Reserves 183,992 178,592 87,864
Closing Reserves 178,592 87,864 78,634
Set-aside
2 months routine expenditure (20,000) (20,000) (20,000)
Contribution toQuinquennial (20,000) (25,000) (30,000)
Longterm stabilityfor on-goingdefici
0		 0 (28,634)
Provision for C&FWpost 0 0 0
Free Reserves at 31 December 138,592 42,864 0

Going Concern

The PCC has considered its current financial circumstances and, with regular monitoring and by adopting a flexible approach to this Reserves Policy, believes that the Church’s position can be considered as a going concern for the medium term, potentially to the end of 2027. However, it may be at risk from changes in giving levels and the PCC will need to continue to monitor this closely as well encouraging church members to review their giving on a regular basis.

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of St Andrews Church in the Westlands Parochial Church Council

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of St Andrews Church in the Westlands for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 17 to 26.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As Trustees of St Andrews Church in the Westlands, 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 St Andrews Church in the Westlands accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

I 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:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Richard Booth ACA 117 Dartmouth Avenue Westlands Newcastle-u-Lyme Staffordshire ST5 3NR

2 March 2024

ST ANDREVVS IN THE WESTLANDS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACMVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Unrestrict8d Restricted Funds Funds TOTAL FUNDS 2023 2022 Income and Endowments Vduntary Income Actwities for Generating Funds Income frcm Investments Chu rch ActNrtEs Other incoming resou rces Note 2a 2b 107,984 138,3 11,077 246,340 11,099 7,632 12,380 208,915 11,109 3,073 12,679 7,632 11,3 2d 2e Total Income 127,030 1 S),421 277,451 235.776 Expenditure Church Ac1wit￿$ Costs of generating voluntary income Fund-raising trad ing costs 132,317 113 38,878 171,195 113 1,592 207,143 122 766 3b 3c 1,S92 Total Expenditure 132,430 40,470 172,900 208.031 Net Income I (Expenditure) {5,4WI 109,951 104,551 27,745 GainsllL05sesl cn investment assets 6b 6,605 6,605 19,557) Net Movement in Funds {5,4WI 116,556 111,156 18.188 Balances Brought Forwartj at 1 January 183,992 318,342 502,334 484,146 Balances Carried Forward at 31 December 178,5¥2 434,898 613,490 502,334

ST ANDREWS IN THE WESTLANDS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Note
Fixed Assets
Tangible
6a
Investments
6b
Current Assets
Debtors
7
Short Term Deposits
Cash at Bank and in Hand
Liabilities
Creditors - amounts falling due in one year
8
Net Current Assets / (Liabilities)
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors - amounts falling due after one year
Total net assets
Parish Funds
Unrestricted
9
Restricted
9		 2023
2022
£
£
-
-
78,235
71,630
78,235
71,630
12,756
5,676
-
530,638
434,842
543,394
440,518
8,139
9,814
535,255
430,704
613,490
502,334
-
-
613,490
502,334
178,592
183,992
434,898
318,342
613,490
502,334

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 18th March 2024 and signed on its behalf by Revd Andrew Dawswell (PCC Chairman)

.............................................................................…

The notes on pages below form part of these accounts

ST ANDREWS IN THE WESTLANDS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, and with the Regulations' "true and fair view" provisions. They have also been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102).

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members.

Cashflow Statement

The Charity has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS102 from the requirement to produce a Cash flow statement on the grounds that the income does not exceed £500,000.

Going Concern

There are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Accounting Estimates and Prior Year Errors

No changes to accounting estimates have occurred in the reporting period. No material prior year errors have been identified in the reporting period.

Description of Funds

Unrestricted funds are income funds of the PCC that are available for spending on the general purposes of the PCC, including amounts designated by the PCC for fixed assets for its own use or for spending on a future project and which are therefore not included in its "free reserves" as disclosed in the trustees' annual report.

Restricted funds comprise of two elements:

a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest

b) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. The PCC does not usually invest separately for each fund. Where there is no separate investment, interest is apportioned to individual funds on an average balance basis.

Endowment funds are restricted funds that must be retained as trust capital either permanently or subject to a discretionary power to spend capital as income, and where the use of any income or other benefit derived from the capital may be restricted or unrestricted. Full details of all their restrictions are shown in the notes to the accounts.

ST ANDREWS IN THE WESTLANDS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Income

Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming resource to which they relate is received. Grants and Legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. All other income is recognised when it is received.

Expenditure

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan common fund payments are accounted for when due. Amounts received specifically for mission are dealt with as restricted funds. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross.

Fixed Assets

Consecrated and beneficed property is not included in the accounts in accordance with s.10(2)(a) & (c) of the Charities Act 2011.

Moveable church furnishings held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC, and which require a faculty for disposal, are inalienable property, listed in the Church's Inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). All inalienable property assets are not valued in the financial statements and as such expenditure on any acquisitions are written off when incurred.

Investments

Investments are valued at market value at 31 December.

Debtors

Debtors are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount. Subsequently they are measured at cash expected to be received.

Creditors and Accruals

Creditors are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts. Accruals are measured on best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date.

ST ANDREWS IN THE WESTLANDS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
2a Voluntary Income
Planned giving:
Eligible for Gift Aid
Tax recoverable
Other
Collections (open plate)
Grants
Other Donations, appeals etc.
Tax recoverable
Legacies
2b Activities for Generating Funds
Fund-raising (coffee mornings etc.)
2c Income from Investments
Interest from CBF Investment Account
Interest from Bank Accounts
2d Income from Church Activities
Church Hall Lettings
PCC Fees
Use of Church & Parish Room
Other income
2e Other income
Total Income and Endowments		 Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£		 Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£		 2023
2022
£
£
101,210
92,060
30,214
20,821
41,225
11,254
4,631
5,329
3,312
2,241
59,887
62,807
5,611
13,290
250
1,113
246,340
208,915
11,099
11,109
11,099
11,109
2,142
2,130
5,490
943
7,632
3,073
3,432
4,523
5,124
4,230
1,798
1,428
2,026
2,498
12,380
12,679
-
-
277,451
235,776
TOTAL FUNDS
74,393 26,817
18,659
5,565
4,258
1,226
3,127
506
250		 11,555
35,660
373
2,086
56,760
5,105
-
107,984 138,356
22 11,077
22 11,077
2,142
5,490		 -
-
7,632 -
3,432
4,136
1,798
2,026		 -
988
-
-
11,392 988
- -
127,030 150,421

ST ANDREWS IN THE WESTLANDS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Note
3
EXPENDITURE
3a Church Activities
Missionary and charitable giving:
10
Church overseas:
Missionary societies
Relief and development agencies
Home missions and other Church Societies
Secular Charities
Ministry
Diocesan Common Fund Contributions
Staff Pay
4
Other Ministry Costs
Church Running Expenses
Church Utility Costs
Printing, stationery and office expenses
Church grounds
Major Repairs
Building Development
Training, development & nurture
Link
Church Hall running costs
3b Generation of voluntary income
Cost of Stewardship
3c Fund-raising costs
Total Expenditure		 Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
4,840
134
820
1,966
1,055
78
820
295
7,535
2,473
66,376
-
7,819
31,433
1,143
1,585
10,527
1,625
7,731
400
1,395
-
600
-
23,785
-
-
-
1,650
1,362
884
-
2,872
-
132,317
38,878
113
-
113
-
-
1,592
132,430
40,470		 Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
4,840
134
820
1,966
1,055
78
820
295
7,535
2,473
66,376
-
7,819
31,433
1,143
1,585
10,527
1,625
7,731
400
1,395
-
600
-
23,785
-
-
-
1,650
1,362
884
-
2,872
-
132,317
38,878
113
-
113
-
-
1,592
132,430
40,470		 2023
2022
£
£
4,974
4,840
2,786
2,680
1,133
767
1,115
1,120
10,008
9,407
66,376
73,068
39,252
36,032
2,728
2,624
12,152
10,611
8,131
8,125
1,395
1,329
600
959
23,785
1,097
-
58,600
3,012
1,534
884
780
2,872
2,977
171,195
207,143
113
122
113
122
1,592
766
172,900
208,031
TOTAL FUNDS
7,535 2,473
66,376
7,819
1,143		 -
31,433
1,585
10,527
7,731
1,395
600
23,785
-		 1,625
400
-
-
-
-
1,650
884		 1,362
-
2,872 -
132,317 38,878
113 -
113 -
- 1,592
132,430 40,470

ST ANDREWS IN THE WESTLANDS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

4 STAFF COSTS
Gross Wages and salaries
National Insurance Costs
Pension Costs		 Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£		 Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£		 2023
2022
£
£
35,806
32,854
2,631
2,431
815
747
39,252
36,032
TOTAL FUNDS
7,646
173		 28,160
2,631
642
7,819 31,433

During the year the PCC employed a secretary and church cleaner (both part-time) and the PCC also paid the Childrens and Families Worker from a Restricted Fund.

5 PAYMENTS TO PCC MEMBERS

Apart from the Childrens and Families Worker, whose costs are shown in note 4 above, there were no payments to PCC members during 2023, other than for the reimbursement of purchases made on behalf of the Church. The Childrens and Families Worker also stood down from the PCC in May 2023. No other PCC member, persons closely connected to them or related parties received remuneration, benefit or reimbursement of travelling or other expenses.

Note
6
FIXED ASSETS
6a Tangible
6b Investments
Market value - 1 January
Disposal at carrying value
Purchases at cost
Gain / (loss) on annual revaluation		 Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
None
None
-
71,630
-
-
-
-
-
6,605
-
78,235		 Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
None
None
-
71,630
-
-
-
-
-
6,605
-
78,235		 2023
2022
£
£
None
None
71,630
81,187
-
-
-
-
6,605
(9,557)
78,235
71,630
TOTAL FUNDS
- 78,235

The holding at 31 December 2023 was 3466.86 units in the Church of England's Central Board of Finance Investment Fund

ST ANDREWS IN THE WESTLANDS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Note
7
DEBTORS
Income tax recoverable
Owed by others
8
SUNDRY CREDITORS
Organist
Owed to Diocese Re Clergy Fees
Owed to Vergers
Owed to Missions
Owed to Others
Receipts in Advance
9
SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS
Opening
Balance
£
General Unrestricted Fund
Restricted Funds
Children & Families Worker
Missionary & Charitable Giving
Flower Fund
Organ Fund
The Puppet Ministry
Renew Cafe Fund
New Building Fund
Trust Fund
71,630
502,334
-
67
-
2,533
183,992
1,479
234,153
8,480		 Note
7
DEBTORS
Income tax recoverable
Owed by others
8
SUNDRY CREDITORS
Organist
Owed to Diocese Re Clergy Fees
Owed to Vergers
Owed to Missions
Owed to Others
Receipts in Advance
9
SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS
Opening
Balance
£
General Unrestricted Fund
Restricted Funds
Children & Families Worker
Missionary & Charitable Giving
Flower Fund
Organ Fund
The Puppet Ministry
Renew Cafe Fund
New Building Fund
Trust Fund
71,630
502,334
-
67
-
2,533
183,992
1,479
234,153
8,480		 Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
4,838
7,628
290
-
5,128
7,628
5,516
1,706
-
-
-
-
30
-
837
-
50
-
6,433
1,706
Income
Expenditure
£
£
127,030
132,430
29,923
33,018
2,473
2,473
1,086
914
988
710
-
-
3,007
1,763
112,944
1,592
6,605








 Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
4,838
7,628
290
-
5,128
7,628
5,516
1,706
-
-
-
-
30
-
837
-
50
-
6,433
1,706
Income
Expenditure
£
£
127,030
132,430
29,923
33,018
2,473
2,473
1,086
914
988
710
-
-
3,007
1,763
112,944
1,592
6,605








 2023
2022
£
£
12,466
5,676
290
-
12,756
5,676
7,222
6,417
-
-
-
-
30
-
837
3,397
50
-
8,139
9,814
Transfers
Closing
Balance
£
£
178,592
5,385
-
-
-
2,705
-
1,757
-
67
-
1,244
-
345,505
-
78,235
TOTAL FUNDS
5,128 7,628
5,516
-
-
30
837
50		 1,706
-
-
-
-
-
6,433 1,706
Income
£
127,030
29,923
2,473
1,086
988
-
3,007
112,944
6,605








 Expenditure
£
132,430
33,018
2,473
914
710
-
1,763
1,592
502,334
284,056
172,900		 613,490

-

The Trust Fund restricted fund is the capital element from the sale of a former curate's house, which can only be utilised by the PCC if permission is granted by the Diocesan Trustees. This is currently invested in the Church of England's Central Board of Finance Investment Fund and the interest income from the investment is unrestricted funds (as opposed to the gain / loss on valuation, which is shown as separately identified above) and as such is paid directly into the Church's bank account and utilised by the PCC for general purposes. The PCC and the Diocesan Trustees have agreed that the proceeds of the Trust Fund will be used towards the New Building Fund when necessary.

ST ANDREWS IN THE WESTLANDS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
Note
£
£
10
MISSIONARY AND CHARITABLE GIVING
Church Overseas - Missionary Societies
Bible Society
820
Church Missionary Society
3,200
134
Open Doors
820
4,840
134
Church Overseas - Relief and Development Agencies
Tearfund
820
1,966
820
1,966
Home Missions and Other Church Societies
Childrens' Society
78
Christians Against Poverty
Scripture Union
820
Messy Church
Churches Together in Newcastle Town
35
Simeons Trustees
200
Deanery Synod
1,055
78
Secular Charities
Brighter Futures
820
Combatt Stress
Poppy Fund Appeal
295
SSAFA
820
295
Total Missionary and Charitable Giving
7,535
2,473		 Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
Note
£
£
10
MISSIONARY AND CHARITABLE GIVING
Church Overseas - Missionary Societies
Bible Society
820
Church Missionary Society
3,200
134
Open Doors
820
4,840
134
Church Overseas - Relief and Development Agencies
Tearfund
820
1,966
820
1,966
Home Missions and Other Church Societies
Childrens' Society
78
Christians Against Poverty
Scripture Union
820
Messy Church
Churches Together in Newcastle Town
35
Simeons Trustees
200
Deanery Synod
1,055
78
Secular Charities
Brighter Futures
820
Combatt Stress
Poppy Fund Appeal
295
SSAFA
820
295
Total Missionary and Charitable Giving
7,535
2,473		 Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
Note
£
£
10
MISSIONARY AND CHARITABLE GIVING
Church Overseas - Missionary Societies
Bible Society
820
Church Missionary Society
3,200
134
Open Doors
820
4,840
134
Church Overseas - Relief and Development Agencies
Tearfund
820
1,966
820
1,966
Home Missions and Other Church Societies
Childrens' Society
78
Christians Against Poverty
Scripture Union
820
Messy Church
Churches Together in Newcastle Town
35
Simeons Trustees
200
Deanery Synod
1,055
78
Secular Charities
Brighter Futures
820
Combatt Stress
Poppy Fund Appeal
295
SSAFA
820
295
Total Missionary and Charitable Giving
7,535
2,473		 2023
2022
£
£
820
820
3,334
3,200
820
820
4,974
4,840
2,786
2,680
2,786
2,680
78
112
-
(300)
820
820
-
100
35
35
200
-
-
-
1,133
767
820
820
-
100
295
100
-
100
1,115
1,120
10,008
9,407
TOTAL FUNDS
4,840 134
1,966
820 1,966
820
35
200		 78
1,055 78
820 295
820 295
7,535 2,473

ST ANDREWS IN THE WESTLANDS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

For the year ending 31 December 2022

Income and Endowments
Voluntary Income
Activities for Generating Funds
Income from Investments
Church Activities
Other incoming resources
Total Income
Expenditure
Church Activities
Costs of generating voluntary income
Fund-raising trading costs
Total Expenditure
Net
Gains/(Losses) on investment assets
Net Movement in Funds
Balances Brought Forward at 1 January
Balances Carried Forward at 31 December		 Unrestricted Restricted
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2022
£
£
£
106,385
102,530
208,915
238
10,871
11,109
3,073
-
3,073
11,912
767
12,679
-
-
-
121,608
114,168
235,776
163,606
43,537
207,143
122
-
122
-
766
766
163,728
44,303
208,031
(42,120)
69,865
27,745
-
(9,557)
(9,557)
(42,120)
60,308
18,188
226,112
258,034
484,146
183,992
318,342
502,334
121,608
163,606
122
-
163,728
(42,120)
-
(42,120)
226,112
183,992

St Andrew’s in the Westlands Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held in the Parish Room on Sunday 7[th] May 2023 at 6:30pm

Present: Revd Andrew Dawswell (chair), Marie Bateman, Bob Bell, Michael & Mary Bosson, Diana Coates, Joan Cocker, Helen Collins, Robin Dawson, Enid Fairhurst, Steve Forrester, Karen Gallagher, Chris & Glenys Gill, Irene Hardacre, Margaret Hollins, Stuart Jackson, Sam Jones, David Leech, Jane Machin, John & Sue Maddison, Margaret Mayoh, Helen McGarry, Gillian Moss, Barry & Margaret Orme, Marion Reddish, Stuart Rushton, Alan & Helen Swanborough, Geoffrey Walker.

Apologies: Tania Arnold, Sara Froggatt, Olwyn Jones

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Annual Vestry Meeting

Tania Arnold, Marie Bateman, Bob Bell, Helen Collins, Steve Forrester, Sara Froggatt, Karen Gallagher, Irene Hardacre, Stuart Jackson, David Leech, Jane Machin, Gillian Moss, Helen McGarry & Stuart Rushton.

Glenys Gill and Alan & Helen Swanborough are our Deanery Synod representatives.

Andrew thanked those serving in these roles over the past year.

If all anticipated grants and pledges hold, around £515,000 may be available towards the hall replacement project. Andrew explained that the current estimated cost is £600,000, but a firm price should be known soon, at which time an appeal will be made.

Chris thanked all who have given over the past year, and asked everyone to pray about future financial needs.

38/23 Appointment of Hon Independent Examiner:

Richard Booth is willing to continue in this role, and his appointment was agreed unanimously.

39/23 Annual Report highlights from Wardens

Margaret Hollins recalled a gradual return of pre-Covid-19 activities, with a few changes retained including Zoom quizzes, later service times and some new names on rotas. Two significant anniversaries were marked including the 60[th] year since the consecration of St Andrew’s, and the 30[th] year of Andrew’s ministry. Naomi’s excellent work continues with Sunday club, Xcite, Little Sparklers, Messy Church and schools work. Margaret observed just how much work is also done by volunteers at St Andrew’s, and expressed thanks to all.

Helen Collins reported that recent water damage in the old choir vestry had been traced to roots growing into and blocking sewer pipes. The Facilities Committee have been reviewing energy efficiency, and consequently have been fitting LED bulbs and reflective foil behind radiators. All work identified at the last quinquennial inspection has now been completed.

Helen thanked members of the Facilities Committee for many jobs undertaken, also Alan for arranging pothole filling, Chris Gill for handling external lets, Nick Beech for keeping heating oil topped up and Diana for running the flower arrangement rota. Andrew remarked that Helen has spent a lot of time liaising with tradespeople, and expressed particular thanks for this.

40/23 Replacement church hall project

Since the plan to build a new hall adjoining the main church building proved to be unaffordable, work has been progressing towards a replacement building on the old hall site. Fords of Blythe Bridge are currently producing a detailed design for a timber framed building with brick walls, a shallow pitched roof and flat, 3 metre high ceiling inside. The design should be complete soon, and planning permission can then be sought. The PCC decided that the £70,000 additional cost of a heat pump was unaffordable, therefore the design will include gas fired heating.

John asked about solar panels. Andrew replied that the payback period could be quite long, since we don’t expect to use very much daytime electricity. We may have to consider solar if the planners require higher sustainability standards, which could also mean that the building design may require strengthening to support the additional weight. Geoffrey asked about roof lights. Andrew responded that the heating system will be in the roof space which could be an issue, however the hall should have windows on 3 sides, hopefully letting in plenty of natural light.

41/23 Renew Westlands café

42/23 Safeguarding

Andrew pointed to slight changes in recruitment processes for those working with children, young people or vulnerable adults, detailed in the annual report. Questions were invited but none were raised.

Andrew thanked all who contribute to the life of the church in different ways.