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2023-12-31-accounts

St Mark’s Church, Forest Gate – Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Administrative Information

St Mark’s Church is situated in Lorne Road, Forest Gate. It is part of the Diocese of Chelmsford within the Church of England. The correspondence address is: 41A Tylney Road, Forest Gate, London, E7 0LS. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956 and Church Representation Rules 2006) and a charity registered with the Charity Commission as charity number 1132240.

PCC members who have served from 1 January 2023 until the date this report was approved are:

Ex Officio Members Vicar: Ben King Chair Churchwardens: Mike Richardson Data & Electoral Roll Officer Sharon Yates Elected Members Ann Arnold Vice-Chair, also Deanery Synod Representative wef 21 May 2023 Peter Arnold Treasurer Janet Bone Deanery Synod Representative, Parish Safeguarding Officer Bola Ogunfowokan Charlotte Mouzer Secretary wef. 21 May 2023 Jane Ridout Secretary weu 21 May 2023. Resigned 13 Nov 2023 Michael Semuguruka Leonie Upson Elected at APCM 21 May 2023 Bethany Yates Parish Worker (Co-opted)

Structure, Governance and Management

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St Mark’s the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent (vicar), the churchwardens, and members who are elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. All members of the congregation who regularly attend St Mark’s Church are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll.

The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish, including deciding how the PCC funds are to be spent. The PCC met seven times during the year, with an average attendance level of over 90%. The January and February meetings were face to face, but thereafter meetings were held online due to the pandemic.

Aims and Purposes

The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the vicar in promoting the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, and social, in the parish. The PCC is also responsible for maintenance of the church building of St Mark’s, Lorne Road, Forest Gate.

Objectives and Activities

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of the parish community at St Mark’s. The PCC maintains an overview of worship, and aims that our worship and services put our faith into practice through prayer, scripture, music and sacrament. We try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:

To facilitate this work it is important that we maintain the fabric of the St Mark’s church building.

Page 1

Achievements and Performance

Worship and Prayer

Our annual motto focused on the theme of harvest (see John 4:35) and was wonderfully fulfilled in the latter half of the year with over 20 new people joining us. In particular, the number of young people rose considerably. As well as growing numerically, we also grew spiritually, with people embracing God’s vision for us in this new season. Quarterly shared lunches also provided opportunities for fellowship.

The common cup was reintroduced alongside communion by intinction. We held a monthly afternoon communion service and continued to sign the peace.

Our shared leadership programme encouraged people to play their part within the life of the church, serving God and one another with the gifts He has blessed us with.

Morning Prayer three times a week on Zoom, a weekly in-person evening prayer meeting (in addition to a larger monthly prayer gathering), all continue. We held weekly prayer walks during Lent.

Deanery Synod

The Rev. Ben King and two lay members, Ann Arnold and Janet Bone represented the church at Deanery Synod and reported about Synod at each PCC meeting. This provides the PCC with a link between the parish and the wider structures of the Church of England.

The March meeting introduced the Diocesan commitment to the well-being of all lay and ordained who lead churches, Diocesan staff and youth leaders etc. At the June meeting, Michaela Southworth (Diocesan Secretary) explained the process in assessing the Parish Share. In September the keynote topic was ‘Developing Leadership in Churches through Community- Organising Principles.’ In December the key-note topic was ‘Newham Deanery Lay Training. What next?’ There was an opportunity to attend workshops led by those who run the present training options.

The Church Building

Regular inspections of the fabric of the building and its contents have taken place, to ensure the safety of all who use it.

Maintenance and other work undertaken:

Page 2

Pastoral Care

Pastoral support has continued, mainly through telephone contact and email, but also through house visits and home communions. Communication across the whole church family has been maintained through email updates (with paper copies made available to those without internet access).

Mission and Evangelism

We hosted a very encouraging Alpha course in the autumn to which 25-30 guests attended. Two people came to faith in Christ and others are continuing to explore the Christian faith with us.

Our coffee bike is now in its second year and the Pop-Up cafes have seen encouraging numbers. By the end of 2023, we had been in contact with well over 100 families through our weekly Play Café. Both our local schools also invited us to their annual fetes which provided further opportunities to build relationships with our community. Messy Church sessions at various points in the year were well-attended and special one-off events e.g. alternative Halloween party and Coronation street party, also provided opportunities to serve our community with the love of Jesus.

Bethany Yates’ contract as our parish worker (she became full-time in the autumn) was extended for a further year. Her excellent work continued to make a positive impact on our church life and on our mission and outreach.

Ecumenical Relationships

We hosted one of three ecumenical reflections in Holy Week. The Good Friday Walk of Witness was wellattended by people from a number of other Forest Gate churches.

Faith In Schools (FIS) brought together people from different churches to present the Christmas and Easter stories to hundreds of young schoolchildren in the borough.

We continued to serve as a drop-off point for our local Foodbank which is run by the Baptist church in Forest Gate.

Ministers’ prayer meetings continued monthly.

Financial Review

Total receipts on unrestricted funds were £83,714, and total receipts for restricted funds were £8,194, including a grant of £1,045 from the Diocese of Chelmsford to assist with our energy costs. These are detailed in the financial statements.

£159,489 was spent from the unrestricted funds, and £13,717 from the restricted funds, to provide the Christian ministry from St Mark’s Church. This includes the PCC’s contribution to the Chelmsford diocesan parish share, which contributes to the cost of stipends, pensions, training, and housing for clergy in the diocese. These are detailed in the financial statements.

The PCC continued with its agreed policy to give away 10% of its net income (i.e. income excluding grants and money given for specific causes) each year to support Christian ministry at home and overseas. A total of £7,173 was given to support 15 Christian ministries at home and abroad. In addition, £4,162 was given by members and supporters for specific appeals and charities, and this was passed on to those appeals and charities.

The net result was an excess of expenditure over receipts of £81,352. On 31 December 2023 the balance of unrestricted funds carried forward was £24,770; the balance of restricted funds carried forward was £6,953; and the balance of the legacy designated fund carried forward was £137,970.

Investment assets as at 31 December 2023 were £314,641 in the CCLA Church of England Investment Fund, plus £425 in shares in Banco Santander. Both these investment assets increased in value during the year as a result of financial market conditions.

Page 3

Reserves Policy

It is the PCC’s policy to invest short term funds balances in the CCLA Church of England Deposit Fund. This is used to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and to meet emergencies. As at 31[st] December 2023 the PCC had £170,338 invested with the CCLA Church of England Deposit Fund.

Church Attendance

There were 91 people on the electoral roll as of December 2023, of whom 36 live outside the parish. The equivalent figure for December 2022 was 103 people, of whom 53 lived outside the parish.

The number of people of any age worshipping regularly at St Mark’s (not necessarily on the electoral roll) is currently 91, covering 51 households. The equivalent figure for December 2022 was 115 people, covering 67 households.

Review of the Year

The PCC held six meetings during 2023, all of which meetings were held face to face.

Items discussed by the PCC included the following:

Page 4

Safeguarding

This last year St Mark’s and its PCC have taken due regard to safe-guarding guidance issued by the House of Bishops.

In this last year Janet Bone was the Parish Safeguarding Officer. We have continued to embed safeguarding in the life of St Mark’s using the Safer Recruitment Procedure. A safeguarding report is an element of PCC agendas.

No safeguarding incidents relating to St Mark’s Church have been reported this year.

Data Protection

All names and contact details are held securely. They are used solely to keep in touch with church members and are never shared with third parties.

Signed on behalf of the PCC

Rev’d Ben King (Vicar and PCC Chair)

Page 5

Parochial Church Council of St Marks, Forest Gate Financial Statement for the Year Ended 31st December 2023

Receipts & Payments Account

RECEIPTS
Voluntary Receipts
Gift Aided Giving
Gift Aid tax recovered
Collections at Services
Contactless card reader (gross amount)
Other planned giving
Giving for Specific Gifts
Grants & Legacies
LOB Grant for youth work
LOB Grant for Pop Up Café
LBN Grant for Queen's Jubilee
LBN Grant for King's Coronation
Diocese of Chelmsford Grant for Energy Costs
Legacy (Val Adkins)
Legacy (Daphne Farrow)
Legacy (Joan Houghton)
Activities for Generating Funds
Ebay Sales & Jumble Trail
Investment Income
Banco Santander dividends
CCLA (investment account)
CCLA (deposit account)
Church Activities:
Wedding & Funeral Fees
Parish magazine
Use of building
Wreath Kits
Banner Group
Jubilee Street Party & Tea Party
Other Receipts
TV Licence refund
Photocopier rental refund
Pop Up Café ticket refund
Payments for printing & photocopying
TOTAL RECEIPTS
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
£
40,175.78
12,193.52
3,631.13
3,449.50
5,646.68
65,096.61
0.00
0.00
12.58
1,376.08
6,860.14
8,248.80
1,338.00
598.00
5.00
1,941.00
238.89
119.65
358.54
75,644.95
DESIGNATED
FUNDS
£
0.00
50.00
500.00
295.00
845.00
0.00
7,224.42
7,224.42
0.00
0.00
8,069.42
Other
Specific Gifts
Youth Work Maintenance
£
£
£
80.34
1,792.88
1,957.44
2,317.95
500.00
1,957.44
4,191.17
500.00
0.00
500.00
1,045.00
1,545.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
3,502.44
4,191.17
500.00
0.00
RESTRICTED FUNDS
2023
2022
£
£
40,175.78
39,708.93
12,273.86
10,692.78
3,631.13
4,047.31
5,242.38
347.00
5,646.68
5,115.70
4,775.39
4,144.42
TOTAL FUNDS
71,745.22
64,056.14
0.00
3,240.00
0.00
12,500.00
0.00
500.00
500.00
0.00
1,045.00
0.00
50.00
0.00
500.00
0.00
295.00
0.00
2,390.00
16,240.00
0.00
356.00
0.00
356.00
12.58
9.59
8,600.50
8,553.17
6,860.14
3,238.53
15,473.22
11,801.29
1,338.00
30.00
598.00
657.30
0.00
1,250.00
0.00
80.00
5.00
0.00
0.00
220.00
1,941.00
2,237.30
0.00
132.50
238.89
0.00
0.00
91.00
119.65
132.70
358.54
356.20
91,907.98
95,046.93

Approved following independent examination.

Page 1 of 5

09/04/2024

PAYMENTS
Church Activities:
Planned Giving
Asha Trust
Asian Friendship Centre
Christian Solidarity Worldwide
Faith in Schools
Newham Youth for Christ
Open Doors
Adhoc Giving
Asha Trust
Churches Foodbank
DEC Turkey/Syria Earthquake Appeal
DEC Ukraine Appeal
Discretionary / Hardship Fund
Evangelical Alliance
Godwin Pupils Holiday Support
Red Cross Libya Flood Appeal
Red Cross Morocco Appeal
Release International
SSF Plaistow
Tear Fund (Ethiopia Appeal)
Tear Fund (Middle East Appeal)
Tear Fund (Pakistan Appeal)
Wennington Hardship Appeal
Blue Cross (coffee morning)
Cancer Research UK
Canine Partners
Dalit Freedom Network (education)
Dementia UK
Godwin Junior Christmas Fair
Link to Hope
London Air Ambulance
Macmillan Cancer Support (coffee morning)
Newham Talking Newspaper
Pancreatic Cancer Uk
Poppy Appeal (Royal British Legion)
Richard House
Woodgrange School PTA
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
£
600.00
600.00
750.00
900.00
750.00
600.00
600.00
108.19
120.00
115.09
500.00
500.00
30.00
500.00
500.00
7,173.28
DESIGNATED
FUNDS
£
0.00
Other
Specific Gifts
Youth Work Maintenance
£
£
£
1,996.00
405.00
696.42
350.00
18.61
230.80
130.00
213.66
122.00
0.00
4,162.49
0.00
0.00
RESTRICTED FUNDS
2023
2022
£
£
600.00
600.00
600.00
600.00
750.00
600.00
900.00
778.99
750.00
750.00
600.00
600.00
0.00
500.00
0.00
250.00
2,596.00
0.00
0.00
2,905.00
108.19
204.00
120.00
120.00
115.09
0.00
905.00
0.00
1,196.42
0.00
0.00
50.00
30.00
0.00
500.00
0.00
850.00
0.00
0.00
1,862.36
0.00
500.00
0.00
100.00
0.00
280.00
0.00
72.50
18.61
16.00
230.80
0.00
130.00
0.00
213.66
190.00
0.00
72.50
0.00
239.42
0.00
72.50
0.00
100.00
0.00
24.00
0.00
72.50
122.00
0.00
TOTAL FUNDS
11,335.77
11,759.77

Approved following independent examination.

Page 2 of 5

09/04/2024

UNRESTRICTED DESIGNATED RESTRICTED FUNDS RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS
FUNDS FUNDS Other Specific Gifts Youth Work Maintenance 2023 2022
£ £ £ £ £ £ £
Church Activities:
Ministry:
Diocesan parish share 53,783.76 53,783.76 38,253.60
Vicar's expenses 821.44 821.44 512.96
Mission & outreach:
Advent & Christmas 1,268.17 1,268.17 867.33
Alpha Course 1,213.22 1,772.94 2,986.16 0.00
Ash Wednesday 0.00 82.67
Banner Group 0.00 30.00
Baptismal Shell 61.95 61.95 0.00
Books 97.50 97.50 0.00
Children 87.84 87.84 191.95
Community Cupboard 119.50 119.50 0.00
Coronation Party 368.73 500.00 868.73 0.00
Evangelistic Materials & Posters 28.00 28.00 79.47
Fees & Subscriptions 851.16 851.16 833.17
Firepit Fridays 0.00 0.00 60.48
Flowers 23.97 184.50 208.47 338.67
Forest Gate Festival 237.39 237.39 43.20
Jumble Trail 390.35 390.35 0.00
Leaving & Thank You Gifts 164.98 164.98 0.00
Lent and Easter 384.05 384.05 750.69
Light Party & Big Treat 363.23 363.23 62.97
Magazine 1,216.99 1,216.99 957.99
Messy Church & Messy Mondays 803.47 803.47 651.12
Mothering Sunday 80.00 80.00 80.00
New Bibles 467.45 467.45 991.36
Other Events 0.00 71.99
Pancake Pickup 0.00 182.15
PCC Day 120.70 120.70 0.00
Pink Bin Project & Food Bank 50.97 50.97 0.00
Platinum Jubilee Parties 0.00 1,737.48
Pop Up Café Start Up 0.00 12,614.16
Pop Up Café Running Costs 3,886.01 3,886.01 1,609.12
Shared Lunch 25.74 25.74 0.00
Services 516.24 516.24 225.27
Thy Kingdom Come 135.25 135.25 55.35
Youth Work 4,570.38 3,699.43 2,165.69 10,435.50 8,431.94
Wedding & Funeral Fees 1,115.00 1,115.00 142.00
Carried forward to next page 68,838.03 4,228.83 6,343.45 0.00 2,165.69 0.00 81,576.00 69,857.09

Approved following independent examination.

Page 3 of 5

09/04/2024

Brought forward from previous page
Church Running Expenses:
Electricity
Gas
Water
Insurance
Refuse Collection
Audio-Visual & PA
Boiler & Heating
Cleaning & PPE
Computer
Crockery
Doors, Keys & Locks
Electrical & PAT
Fans
Fire Alarms, Extinguishers & Fire Signs
First Aid
Gardening
Garden Furniture
Ladder & Tools
Movawalls
Quinquennial Preparation
Repair Materials
Removing Rubbish
Security Cameras
Toilets & Water
Vicarage
Miscellaneous
Staff
Catering and Sunday Tea Coffee Milk
Church Activities:
Church management & administration
Photocopying
Stationery
Contactless Card Reader Purchase
Contactless Card Reader Fees
Web Site, Internet & IT
Phones
Accountant's & Examiner's Fees
Bank charges
TOTAL PAYMENTS
EXCESS OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS /
EXCESS OF PAYMENTS OVER RECEIPTS
CASH AT BANK & CCLA AT 1ST JANUARY
CASH AT BANK & CCLA AT 31ST DECEMBER
Approved following independent examination.
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
£
68,838.03
2,350.14
1,719.05
518.17
1,379.58
976.96
1,447.12
322.54
464.15
154.97
620.22
988.11
0.00
1,015.41
223.84
509.97
1,441.45
207.47
26.00
139.20
960.00
78.98
84,381.36
2,760.03
303.73
85.06
1,065.08
1,951.31
0.00
206.63
6,371.84
97,926.48
-22,281.53
47,051.20
24,769.67
DESIGNATED
FUNDS
£
4,228.83
37,991.50
360.00
18,981.69
61,562.02
0.00
61,562.02
-53,492.60
191,462.67
137,970.07
Other
Specific Gifts
Youth Work Maintenance
£
£
£
6,343.45
0.00
2,165.69
0.00
1,045.00
54.80
7,388.45
0.00
2,165.69
54.80
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
7,388.45
4,162.49
2,165.69
54.80
-3,886.01
28.68
-1,665.69
-54.80
10,890.88
-80.34
1,665.69
54.80
7,004.87
-51.66
0.00
0.00
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Page 4 of 5
2023
2022
£
£
81,576.00
69,857.09
2,350.14
1,234.26
2,764.05
1,663.44
518.17
319.92
1,379.58
1,303.45
976.96
950.40
37,991.50
0.00
1,501.92
3,355.58
322.54
320.66
464.15
7.99
360.00
0.00
154.97
0.00
620.22
346.48
0.00
187.96
988.11
379.61
0.00
36.49
1,015.41
1,349.92
0.00
2,473.20
223.84
0.00
509.97
0.00
1,441.45
0.00
0.00
68.25
0.00
428.00
207.47
268.97
26.00
0.00
139.20
108.00
0.00
105.95
19,941.69
16,473.19
78.98
124.80
155,552.32
101,363.61
2,760.03
1,608.92
303.73
648.13
0.00
333.90
85.06
5.55
1,065.08
1,047.33
1,951.31
1,642.96
0.00
200.00
206.63
228.54
6,371.84
5,715.33
173,259.93
118,838.71
-81,351.95
-23,791.78
251,044.90
274,836.68
169,692.95
251,044.90
TOTAL FUNDS
09/04/2024

Parochial Church Council of St Marks, Forest Gate Financial Statement for the Year Ended 31st December 2023

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Cash funds
NatWest bank current account
CCLA Central Board of Finance Deposit Fund
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
£
-593.59
25,363.26
24,769.67
DESIGNATED
FUNDS
£
0.00
137,970.07
137,970.07
Other
Specific Gifts
Youth Work Maintenance
£
£
£
0.00
-51.66
0.00
0.00
7,004.87
0.00
0.00
0.00
7,004.87
-51.66
0.00
0.00
RESTRICTED FUNDS
2023
2022
£
£
-645.25
4,566.84
170,338.20
246,478.06
TOTAL FUNDS
169,692.95
251,044.90
Other monetary assets
Income tax recoverable
2,279.50
Investment assets
Shares in Banco Santander
425.32
CCLA Investment Account
50,342.62
50,767.94
of the money in the CCLA Investment Account is from Helen Rigby's legacy
Note 1 Funds held
General Fund
24,769.67
Designated Funds
Val Adkin's legacy
Daphne Farrow's legacy
Joan Houghton's legacy
Elizabeth Palmer's legacy
Helen Rigby's legacy
Vi Woollard's legacy
Legacy Total
Restricted Funds
Flowers
LOB Grant for Pop Up Café Running Costs
Specific Gifts
Maintenance
Youth Work
Restricted Funds Total
Note 2 Investments Held
(Values as at 31st December 2023)
126 shares in Banco Santander
425.32
13918.92 shares in CCLA Investment account
50,342.62
264,298.74
264,298.74
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
(designated fund); the remaining 16% is general fund.
50.00
78.05
295.00
24,198.50
113,348.52
137,970.07
0.00
7,004.87
-51.66
0.00
0.00
264,298.74
2,279.50
2,821.00
425.32
292.32
314,641.36
287,584.37
315,066.68
287,876.69
24,769.67
47,051.20
50.00
0.00
78.05
0.00
295.00
0.00
24,198.50
62,190.00
113,348.52
125,573.24
0.00
3,699.43
137,970.07
191,462.67
0.00
0.00
7,004.87
10,890.88
-51.66
-80.34
0.00
54.80
0.00
1,665.69
6,953.21
1,640.15
425.32
292.32
314,641.36
287,584.37

84% of the money in the CCLA Investment Account is from Helen Rigby's legacy (designated fund); the remaining 16% is general fund.

Approved following independent examination.

Page 5 of 5

09/04/2024

Jagdeep Ghataore ACMA CGMA 69 Highwood Gardens Ilford Essex. IG5 OAY Independent examinerfs report to the trustees of The Parochial Church Council of St Marks, Forest Gate I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Parochial Church Council of St. Marks, Forest Gate (the 'charity') for the year to 31 December 2023. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan￿ with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,): You consider that the audit requirements of the Regulation and s.43(2) of the Act do not apply. It is my responsibility to issue this report on those financial statements in accordance with the terms of the regulations. My examination was carried out in accordan￿ with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 43(7) (b) of the Act and to be found in the Church guidan￿ 2006 Edition. The examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the finance statements, and seeking explanations from you as trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence on the view given by the accounts. Independent examiner's ststement I have completed my examination and I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. Accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Charities Act 2011 2. The accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems 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. Signed: Jagdeep Ghataore ACMA CGMA Date: L(412DI