2021-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St. Mary On The Hill, Chester

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The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary without the walls, Chester within the ancient parish of St Mary on the hill

Registered charity number 1132533

Parochial Church Council Annual Report 2022

Introductory overview
Churchwarden’s report
Incumbent’s report
Reports from Clusters
a. Buildings and Environment (incl. The St Mary’s Handbridge Centre)
b. Children and Young People
c. Communications
d. Community, Mission and Charities
e. Finance
f. Music and Worship
Additional reports

Accounts for the year ended 31[st] of December 2021 can be found on a separate document

1. Introductory overview

Public Benefit Statement (PB1)

St Mary’s is a charity. PB1 is The Charity Commission’s guidance on the legal requirement that charities provide public benefit. Public benefit is an essential part of what it is to be a charity. But it is not just a legal requirement that charities have to meet and that the commission regulates. It also provides charities with a positive opportunity to demonstrate the benefits they bring to the public, in return for the financial and other benefits that come from being a charity, such as public support.

The members of the PCC have complied with their duty as trustees having regard to the Guidance of Public Benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-benefit-an-overview/publicbenefit-an-overview

Governing Documents

The PCC operates under three documents. Two of these are Church of England Measures:

The Parochial Church Council (Powers) measure 1956 as amended
The Church Representation Rules 2020 (CRR, contained in schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969 as amended): https://www.churchofengland.org/about/leadership-and-governance/legal- -

services/church representation rules/contents

The third document is a set of terms of reference, adopted by the Parochial Church Council, that guide St Mary’s operations and mission. Copies of this are issued to members of the PCC in electronic format (PDF), and can be requested from the Incumbent.

Objectives and Activities

St Mary’s PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the Incumbent in promoting the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical, in the ecclesiastical parish. It also has responsibility for the buildings and environment of the site of St Mary without the walls, Chester and includes the St. Mary’s Handbridge Centre.

PCC Membership

In 2021 the PCC met 6 times, both on-site and online, with an average attendance of 78%. Members of the PCC are either elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (in accordance with the CRR), or are appointed ex officio, or are co-opted. In 2021 the following have served as members of St Mary’s PCC:

elected members

Helen Brophy David Gilbert Mavis Sellers Peter Collins Catherine Jones Guy Shapland Emma Degg Joanne Lewis Palmer Sue Fryer John Scott

ex officio

Revd Dr Richard Patrick Whaite (Incumbent/“Rector” and chair) Patricia Lynne Jones (elected as Church Warden for 2[nd] term at APCM 2021) Mary Alison McLellan (elected as Church Warden for 1[st] term at APCM 2021)

co-opted

Terry Coe (as St Mary’s representative on deanery synod until 2023) Klaus Armstrong-Braun (as St Mary’s representative on deanery synod until 2023) Hailey Mason (co-opted as PCC secretary between APCM 2021 and 2022)

At the APCM in 2022 there are 5 PCC vacancies for elected members. The Standing Committee (composed of the Incumbent, Church Wardens, Secretary and Honorary Treasurer) will explore with the new Health and Safety Officer and Safeguarding Officer whether their roles are best served as co-opted PCC members. Standing Committee is governed by paragraph 14 of Appendix II to the CRR. It has power to transact the business of the PCC subject to any directions given, and reports back regularly to the PCC (CRR, App. II, para. 14(b)). This is a wide power which enables the standing committee to carry on the routine work of the PCC between the meetings and to deal with most matters of real urgency.

Church Attendance

During 2021 the total number on the electoral roll was 209 of whom 61 were not resident in the parish.

The Ministry Team

Our regular pattern of services depends on members of St Mary’s who offer their gifts on-site and on-line as servers, readers, leaders of intercessors, choir members, chaperones, musicians, facilitators of refreshments, welcomers, church minders, cleaners and zoom facilitators. In addition to these people, younger and older, we also benefit from the care and insights of our Licensed Lay Minister (Reader Emeritus) Linda Manning and our assistant clergy John Carhart, Trevor Dennis, Bill Hamilton and Maureen Pickering. During 2021 we bade farewell to Laura Rhodes who was appointed vicar of St Peter’s in Hargrave. Though a regular pattern of weekly services was maintained, the limitations of a landscape still dominated by concerns for the health and well-being of our most vulnerable individuals has meant that both baptism and marriage preparation have been significantly revised during 2021. Responsibilities for home visits and regular home communions have also fallen on a few individuals. We must hope and pray for a change in this during 2022.

Clusters in 2021

In the report to APCM in 2021, one of the aims for the year was to establish and develop broader participation in the life of St Mary’s, including making it easier for more people to shape the work and witness of St Mary’s. The Cluster groups are the result of this development and are composed of members of the PCC and wider church. Participation is not determined by expertise or a surplus of previous experience, only a heartfelt interest in learning, listening and deepening St Mary’s witness across the six cluster areas. These groups were outlined in a new terms of reference document, adopted by

the PCC. The overall aim would always be to enrich and diversify our fellowship, making us a listening and receptive community who seek to respond faithfully and compassionately to both God’s gifts and circumstances in which we live.

2. Churchwarden’s Report

Church and Maintenance

The church’s inventory has been checked and found correct. Although many of our worship traditions have been restored to us, we have proceeded with caution bearing in mind the vulnerability of many in our parish family. Continuing to Zoom and stream many of our services has helped many in our parish family to continue to worship together. The pandemic has cast a long shadow indeed.

Thanks to the grant from Historic England, £12000 of work on repairing and maintaining the roof and tower was carried out last summer.

The Quinquennial inspection happened in September. Unsurprisingly a programme of maintenance, specifically the stonework, was recommended by the church architect but particular praise was directed to the regular care taken in looking after the building.

An inspection of the electrical system has been carried out and essential maintenance work completed.

The triennial Archdeacon’s Inspection took place in October. There were no recommendations other than to carry on the good work being done especially in the efforts to reach out to the community.

The newly formed Cluster groups are gradually establishing their place in taking an active part in moving the church forward. The addition of a wider range of expertise and enthusiasm for different aspects of church life without its being confined to the P.C.C. is beginning to demonstrate its value, but more members in all the groups would be very welcome. The more members who feel they can have a share in the active life of St Mary’s the better.

The St Mary’s Handbridge Centre

This year has seen the Centre gradually returning to normal use following the pandemic. Most of the regular users have returned, also some new initiatives are up and running. Following the departure of Sam [for the Royal Navy] a new appointment was made; we were pleased to welcome Michael Mitchell as a Centre Assistant. There is now a full complement of staff to support Doris with an increasingly demanding workload. St Mary’s employs an administrator, three centre assistants and two cleaning staff.

Grounds

We are blessed with a score of volunteers who have made it a target to improve and maintain the grounds. The planting of two years ago is now well established, rose borders have been planted to the north of the church also a dozen multi stemmed birch trees underplanted with bulbs at the far end of the car park.

An audit of garden machinery was carried out and a new ride on mower purchased in a part exchange for the items that were coming to the end of their useful life.

Acknowledgements

Our warmest thanks go to the team of cleaners, the flower arrangers, the working parties and all who make St Mary’s a labour of love; also to the Director of music and his team of volunteers who contribute to the worship each week: the sidespeople, the bellringers, the intercessions team, the readers and servers and not least those who undertake the backroom tasks of administration, usually unseen but essential to our existence as a community. This year has also seen a new team forming of people who are learning to facilitate the Zoom services.

The P.C.C. has frequently conducted business on Zoom instead of in person, often at short notice and we are grateful for everyone’s patience and co-operation. As many of us are getting on in years it would be good to have some new people who would be willing to bring new areas of experience to St Mary’s.

And last but by no means least, our thanks to the Rector for his devoted leadership throughout the 2 years of the pandemic, also for the loyal support from the retired members of the clergy team; through this most challenging time they have never failed us.

3. Incumbent’s report

It is with some relief that I write this brief report anticipating an Easter season where onsite and online participation in the worshipping life of St Mary’s exhibits greater parity. The return of sung worship, the endurance of our online provisions and how to resource and support outreach work in the parish have been recurring themes of the last 12 months. I am grateful to each of you for your prayers and support, offering your time and talents, to sustain the weary in times that continued to feel uncertain.

Since the 2021 report, I am pleased to note how much progress has been made changing the way we encourage participation in St Mary’s. You’ll notice from the structure of this annual report that clusters responsible for different aspects of St Mary’s life, operational and strategic, are now well underway and finding ways to recruit interested and enthusiastic members. The sections of what follows were composed of submissions from different groups but were included under the broad areas covered by each cluster. I hope that reading what groups working within each cluster have been doing, and are planning to do, might encourage you to speak with one of the current members about getting involved. A sincere thank you to those named and un-named in what follows for your taking time to reflect and write for our APCM.

The year has also seen revisions to the ways we prepare families for baptism and couples preparing to be married at St Mary’s. Though circumstances have (once again) limited how regularly we can work alongside our local schools, I am grateful to those who so regularly offer to support Messy Church and The Well. There have been some new beginnings working alongside Storyhouse, Queens Park High School and the Kings School. Integrated intergenerational fellowship is what we are hoping for; a church that

shares in the gifts and delights in the different ways God is at work with us. That must be near the heart of all we seek to do together at St Mary’s over the next few years.

I am grateful for the opportunity of the APCM report to offer particular thanks. During the last year we have said farewell to Revd Laura Rhodes, who departed during the summer of 2021 to serve as incumbent of the parish of Hargrave and Huxley. She is much missed for her spiritual clarity and good humour. This APCM will also see one of our wardens, Alison Mclellan, step down. She kindly offered her experience and expertise during the Spring of 2021 when there were too few coordinates for what equilibrium might look like in any new landscape. I am glad she remains on-board the PCC and keen to champion the work of clusters. Lynne and I owe her a great deal for her friendship and solidarity.

I wish to end these remarks with a note of thanks. During 2021, the Planned Giving Officer and I, with the support of the PCC, chose to encourage members of St Mary’s Electoral Roll to revisit and review their regular financial giving. The response, in an unpredictable financial landscape, was encouraging and enables St Mary’s to get closer to our goal of sustainable ministry, where our costs are met by regular giving and not from other sources of income. We are grateful to those who undertook their own review and adjusted according to both circumstances and conviction. Just as our giving requires regular attention, so too our sharing requires spiritual attention. Vigilance can enable the release of gifts in our part of Christ’s body, the church, to those whose need requires our solidarity in prayer, in word and in deed. I am encouraged that the PCC has begun to take steps to do this, with the advice of the Community, Mission and Charities Cluster.

4. Reports from Clusters

4a. Buildings and Environment

Lynne Jones, Alison Mclellan, John Parkin, Helen Pritchard, John Scott, Guy Shapland

The Buildings and Environment cluster is now well established and is making good progress in developing strategies, plans and proposals to enable the PCC to make informed decisions. There are 3 key priorities for the cluster, with a breakdown of each element below.

Eco Church:

We have set out an ambitious target to obtain gold status by the end of 2022. Gap analysis has been carried out against the gold criteria and a plan is being finalised to work towards our submission later this year.

Buildings:

The Quinquennial report was completed Q4 of 2021. A full inspection of the church building was carried out with the report advising on the maintenance required over the next 5 years. In general, the church is in good health but, due to the age of the building and weathering of the stonework, investment to maintain it will require an ongoing programme of works to ensure the building remains at the heart of the community for

many years to come. We are working closely with our architect and stone mason to draw up a programme of works and spend profile for the next 5 years for the ongoing maintenance of the stonework.

Plant:

A full audit and inspection was undertaken in February to establish what machinery, tools and equipment we have in the container. Following the inspection, a full review was done to ascertain if the equipment was still required. At the PCC meeting in March the B&E cluster presented a proposal to trade in the existing ride-on lawnmower, Billy Goat leaf collector and chainsaws for a brand new, more efficient ride-on mower. The proposal was fully approved, and Deva Mowers has delivered the new mower and taken the existing machinery away for disposal.

The St Mary’s Handbridge Centre (Doris Keen, Parish Administrator & Centre Manager): After the third national lockdown in January 2021, the Centre re-opened mid-April 2021. During the lockdown, only one support group was allowed to meet in the centre. The number of centre users slowly increased through May and the following months in line with the government’s road map of re-opening, as more and more groups returned to the Centre, still operating with various Covid measures and restrictions.

Centre staff who had been fully or partly furloughed, returned to work mid-May 2021.The departure of Sam Kelly, Centre Assistant, in early December 2021 lead to a restructuring of Centre staff, and two Centre Assistants were recruited to fill his hours in December 2021 and February 2022. The centre staff now consist of three Centre Assistants – Joanna Polanczyk, John Rose and Michael Mitchell -, who work a total of 37 hours per week between them, funded by the People’s Lottery grant. In addition, the Centre employs two cleaners, Sheila Jones and Lisa Jones.

After a challenging two years, and thanks to the efforts of the team and volunteers, the Centre has now almost returned to pre-pandemic hire income levels, accommodating a big variety of community, charity and commercial groups. Most of the pre-pandemic user groups have returned, and a number of new groups have made regular bookings. Children’s party bookings and other one-off events have resumed. The Centre is once again a busy community hub.

4b. Children and Young People

Molly Degg, Kelly Davies, Sue Fryer, Sharon Johnson, Lynne Jones, Alison Mclellan, Maureen Pickering

The provision for children and their families at St Mary’s consists of a variety of services/activities, most of which have been disrupted in the last two years. Let’s keep in mind the outcome of the church survey organised by the Rector: your wish that engagement with children and families was the number one priority for St. Mary’s.

Storytelling , for children from 0-6 years is at 9.30am on Sundays in term time and is led solely by Ric who offers a story, song and snack each week. Numbers attending have been variable but seem to be improving. It is much appreciated by parents (and children).

The Well, for children aged 7 upwards meets at 10.30am on Sundays. It started only last September as it was felt there was a need for provision for older children, and ideally to include children with disabilities such as autism. It mirrors the church service but with a fun element. At the end of the session the group attends church during Holy Communion to receive a blessing. The Well is led mainly by lay volunteers from church, with five leaders and helpers on a rota basis. The numbers are still low, but we are hoping that with increased advertising, on Facebook (thank you Christine Dukes) and through the Overleigh newsletter, numbers will improve. More volunteers and support for this important initiative would be much appreciated.

The Messy Church service is held on the third Sunday of each month, apart from August and December. It is well-organised with two planning meetings a year to set up themes and activities (Sharon Johnson leads the crafts) and it has a regular group of volunteers. It is a popular service and has had high numbers in the past – sometimes exceeding the main Sunday service. Numbers have been lower since Covid but we are hopeful they will improve post-pandemic. MC is a great opportunity for church to welcome children and adults alike to a more informal, simple, inclusive service. The food always goes down well!

For the above groups, the PCC has allotted £700 p.a. if needed.

St Mary’s Babies and Toddlers group is the new name given to the previous Parent/Carer/ Toddler group which folded with the onset of Covid. We are presently reestablishing this group and aim to have our first session (launch) on Friday 22 April. It will now be a ‘church’ group, although largely ‘secular’ in its activities and, unlike the former group, it will be free of charge. The Llay charity has allocated £500 and the residual fund of £2000 in the previous bank account has also been donated. This group is a good way to support the community, especially post-covid, giving an opportunity for local parents/carers and babies/toddlers to meet together. It has always met a need in the community attracting a much wider range of people than would anything church-based. Previously, people have come forward for baptism from this group and attended storytelling. A core group is setting it up and we are hoping for lots of interest. As a cluster group we also discuss and plan:

when to implement All-Age services , parade Sundays and special services (eg a pet service) for children and their families.
Baptism preparation (presently run by Ric) and support for Baptism families.
Holy Communion for 8 plus children, which has now been approved by the PCC.
Junior Choir and the forthcoming Youth Choir, and the accompanying adults required.
Links with local schools – we have two Overleigh governors in the cluster group.

4c. Communications

Stuart Bull, Catherine Jones, Joanne Lewis-Palmer

The Communications Cluster has been focussing primarily on the following items:

Church Logo. The Logo designed for the Centre has been modified to establish a new Logo in a similar format for the Church.

St Mary’s Website. Whilst the current web site has served the parish well over the past decade, it has its limitations and a new website was needed. Mark Rhodes had volunteered to set this up but with Laura’s move, work and family commitments, the time challenge was greater than anticipated. As a result, the PCC has asked Tim Leaman, a website designer and developer, who was baptised at St Mary’s, to redesign and maintain a new site for St Mary's. Members of the Cluster Group have been looking at examples from other churches to give us ideas.

Publicity. In addition to items in local publications (Westminster Park News; Overleigh Roundabout; Press etc.), there will be updates in external community notice boards around the parish. The “Welcome” card in Church is now in church.

Social Media Platforms. Christine Dukes is now producing updates to our Facebook site each week.

Church Noticeboards. Replacements (in landscape format) for the noticeboards on the railings outside the church have been ordered. The present ones are well past their use by dates!

Parish Magazine. Catherine Jones continues to produce an excellent Magazine each month. Future issues will each have a report from one of the Clusters.

Photos. It is planned that the present “Rogues Gallery” of photos of Clergy, Officeholders and Church Groups will be redesigned after the APCM.

Weekly email. Ric’s weekly email has proved to be an excellent mode of communication to the parish, particularly during lockdown, and to help people feel that they still belong.

4d. Community, Missions and Charities

Veronica Bull, Trevor Dennis, Christine Dukes, Alice Jones, Helen Pritchard, Mavis Sellers

The purpose of the Missions and Charities Cluster (‘the Cluster’) is to make recommendations and work with the Parochial Church Council (‘PCC’) as to which community enterprises, missions and charities St Mary’s should support. It also coordinates activities that help clarify the best ways we can offer support, including amplifying causes via social events. This is alongside encouraging the responsible use of the resource of the St Mary’s Handbridge Centre, and where necessary liaising with the

local residents associations and community groups, alongside interest groups and charities (such as Christian Aid and St Mary’s Parochial Charities/The Llay Estate).

During this year Linda Manning stepped down from her longstanding role as Christian Aid representative at St Mary’s. Linda was kind enough to work, with Trevor Dennis, to encourage two members of St Mary’s to coordinate Christian Aid going forward. We are grateful to Christine Dukes and Helen Pritchard for picking up the mantle!

St Mary’s involvement in fundraising for Christian Aid’s Chester Branch emphasises the parish’s longstanding ecumenical partnerships, both to Churches Together in Chester (CTiC, where Stuart Bull has been our representative until the end of 2021) and to Open Table Chester an inclusive, ecumenical initiative with Wesley Methodist Church (where the Rector sits on the Steering Committee). St Mary’s is also fortunate to have members of our community involved again in the Chester Passion Play on Good Friday in 2022.

It has been encouraging to support the return of the Wednesday lunch group to the St Mary’s Handbridge Centre during the last year, after an absence driven by an abundance of care. We are glad to host this partnership of many people from around the parish and wider community. We hope that the next 12 months will allow other regular opportunities for sharing fellowship with both friends and strangers.

4e. Finance

Helen Brophy, Peter Collins, Emma Degg, David Gilburt

Total Incoming Resources for 2021 were £267980, an increase of £38736 from 2020. Total Resources expended were £199960, an increase of £19788 from 2020. So an overall improvement to the finances and the year finished with net incoming resources of £68020.

INCOME

Most of the increase in Income came from a rise in Planned Giving. Up from £75787 to £96479, an increase of £20692.

The Parish Centre was gradually able to open during the year, so room hire income slowly resumed. By the year end, hire income was £30028, up from £20228 in 2021. Not yet back to the 2019 level of £65000, but bookings for 2022 so far suggest that may be achieved this year.

COVID19 related financial assistance received in the form of a COVID19 Recovery grant from CWAC for £12000. This was to assist the Parish Centre with costs so that we were able to reopen as restrictions eased. We also received Job Retention Scheme funding of £6563 so that we could furlough some of our staff.

Other grants totalling £47236 received:

£12776 Historic England and the Listed Places of Worship fund. Funded repairs to the Church building, hence the increase in Church maintenance expenditure to £16454.
£6250 Allchurches Trust to fund upgrading the AV system in Church. Held on restricted funds.

£3859 Co op Community fund to assist with AV upgrade and improved access between Church and Centre. Held on restricted funds.
£24351 National Lottery. For costs of employing additional Centre Staff. Held on restricted funds.

Easing of restrictions has also meant that groups could use the Church. We received donations for use of the Church from Story House and from Chester Operatic Society totalling £6695.

EXPENDITURE

Running costs for both Church and Centre continue to be tightly controlled. The larger increases have been grant funded, i.e. the increase in Church maintenance and the increase in wages for Parish Centre staff.

Rectory costs rose by £7615 because the Council Tax for the years to April 2020 and April 2021 were both paid in 2021.

Clergy Expenses and Support costs are now recorded as Funeral and Wedding costs, which more clearly describes what they are.

Assistant Clergy costs have risen as there are now 4 Assistant Clergy, who receive a quarterly honorarium.

Parish Administrator costs are split equally between Church and Centre.

PARISH CENTRE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

The figures are included within the accounts, but in order to show more clearly the cash surplus/deficit generated by the Parish Centre, are extracted, below:

Room Hire Income CWAC Covid Recovery grant Lottery Contrib to staff cost Total Income £61524 Centre Running Costs Centre Loan Interest Loan Capital Repayment Total Expenditure £63835 Net cash outflow (£2311)

Centre Income for 2022 to date is ahead of the budgeted figure. It is anticipated that the Centre will generate a cash surplus during 2022.

The year ended with cash balances of £126501, of which £45078 are restricted and £19007 are designated, leaving £62416 available.

The PCC manages the funds to ensure there is a sufficient reserve to cover basic

running costs in difficult times and to cover necessary building maintenance. It is part of our Christian mission to give charitably (and also one of our stated activities as recorded in our registration with the Charity Commission under PB1, above). It is quite a number of years since St Mary’s has undertaken any planned charitable giving. The PCC has resolved that 10% of any future surplus generated by the operation of the Parish Centre will be set aside for planned charitable giving. The beneficiaries of such giving to be decided.

4f. Music and Worship

Guy Hirst, Michael Reynolds, Jane Williams

The Music and worship cluster met in October to reflect on feedback from members of the congregation and to discuss plans for the future of music at St Mary’s. It was noted that some members of the congregation had found it difficult to adjust to the new sung communion setting, so a suggestion was made that the choir will sing from within the congregation and Michael will play the piano each time we change the setting to help people to learn it. Next time we do this, the choir will sing from the back of church so the congregation can hear them more clearly.

Plans for the future include taking on Choral Scholars (secondary school pupils recruited from the local schools who will join the choir for rehearsals and services), Junior Choral Scholars made up of members of the Youth Choir who wish to continue being part of the choir after they finish primary school, as well as two organ scholars. The organ scholars will receive free lessons from the Director of Music and will be expected to play occasionally in the services, as well as helping out with the Zoom facility.

The cluster group have planned the concert series ‘Music by the Bridge’ which will raise money towards the Choral Scholarship fund. The concerts will be on the second Friday of the month and will go up to July this year. The Director of Music has had several offers from performers for next year already. In addition to the fund raising concerts, we have applied for 3 Music Grants, the first of which, for organ lessons has been approved. We hope to hear about the other two in April.

The Parish Choir have been able to return to normal patterns of sung worship, following the lifting of Covid restrictions. In February we enjoyed a fantastic Choral Evensong, with the Parish Choir being joined by a visiting choir Vox Vocavit. The visiting choir would like to repeat the occasion in the not-too-distant future. The Youth Choir continues to grow in confidence and have joined the Parish Choir for several All-Age services, enhancing the music and bringing more families into church.

St Mary’s was fortunate this Lent to receive a series of talks, following Said Compline (Night Prayer), from one of our assisting clergy, Trevor Dennis. Trevor addressed the topic of the Christian and Jewish scriptures over five Wednesday evenings. These talks were in addition to fundraising for Christian Aid, which involved imaginative and educational evenings around different liturgical themes in the year.

The provision within the parish for education and faith formation is enhanced by the diversity of voices offered on Thursday and Sunday mornings and during the monthly service of Choral Evensong. Both the ministry team and the music and worship cluster would be glad to hear from those who can suggest ways of broadening the appeal of the offering we make, especially making our events invitational for those not currently regularly involved at St Mary’s.

5. Additional Reports

Safeguarding

Our Parish upholds a clear Child Protection Policy and we follow the safeguarding guidelines for good practice as set out by the Diocese, which in turn is based on the Church of England’s safeguarding policy. A culture of informed vigilance, care for the rights of all and safer recruitment and role management for both paid staff and volunteers remains at the heart of updated safeguarding arrangements for the vulnerable.

We will continue to ensure that new volunteers are given the correct information required as they start their role within the church. As ever, it is important for us as a Parish to ensure we have a robust system that provides a level of contact between all new workers at St Marys and the PCC. By providing this level of contact, we can ensure that the safe environment that we have worked so hard to achieve over the years can be maintained. In early 2022 Peter Dove, our safeguarding officer, notified the PCC he wishes to step down from the role. The PCC are grateful to Pete for his diligence in the role as a successor is secured.

Health and Safety

During the period since the last APCM, the PCC has not received a regular dedicated report regarding H&S. The Wardens and Incumbent have ensured that regular walkrounds and testing/certifying of equipment has taken place. Equipment that is old or faulty and is not used has been disposed of with the help of the Building and Enviroment Cluster. We hope to welcome a new H&S officer in Spring 2022.

Insurance summary

The insurance of the church building, the contents and the boundary walls runs from 25[th] December and is effected under a Parish Plus policy with Ecclesiastical Insurance. The policy covers also other liabilities including Employer’s Liability, Public Liability and Legal expenses. The total annual premium is £7,657.31 and this is paid by monthly instalments. The St Mary’s Handbridge Centre is insured under a separate policy, also with Ecclesiastical Insurance, and the policy runs from 4[th] June. The current premium for the year to 3[rd] June is £1,396.61 and this is paid by monthly instalments. There were no claims under either policy in 2021 and there is no current claim or circumstance known to us which is considered likely to give rise to a claim.

Deanery and Diocesan Synod

Chester Deanery Synod met in June 2021 (with Bishop Mark Tanner), October 2021 (to discuss Living in Love and Faith, “LLF”) and February 2022 (with the diocesan healing advisor). Diocesan Synod, where the Rector serves as an elected member of the house of clergy, met on November 6th at the cathedral to commence a new synodical period and to meet the new Bishops of Birkenhead (Julie Conalty) and Stockport (Sam Corley). This was followed on 19th of March 2022 with a second synod at St John’s Hartford that discussed the next stage of LLF. It is expected that in the next 12 months the synods will consider further developments within the LLF process and discuss how churches might approach contested histories and difficult legacies relating to monuments and buildings paid for by profits from the historic trade in enslaved persons and their labour.

Uniformed Organisations based at St Mary’s

It has been a busy 18 months for 4[th] Chester St Mary’s Rainbows and Brownies as we continue to adapt to life post-Covid restrictions. We were thrilled to return back to faceto-face meetings in April 2021 and despite additional precautions, including masks for adults and social distancing, we were able to regain a sense of normality and have lots of fun. We ended the summer term in July 2021 with a trip to the park at Edgars Field.

After a break for summer, both units returned back to meetings in September 2021 and welcomed lots of new members to both Rainbows and Brownies. The Rainbows got straight to work on their ‘Take Action’ theme award which included their Recycling badge and making thank you rainbows for local NHS workers. The Brownies completed their dancing badge during their meetings and also decorated some stones with kind words that they left throughout Handbridge during a walk, for local residents to find and enjoy. In November, we all attended an event at Pettypool Activity Centre to celebrate 50 years of Girlguiding in Cheshire Forest (our County).

We have loved getting back to normality and are so incredibly proud of the way that our Rainbows and Brownies have handled this incredibly challenging time – their enthusiasm and energy has made the past year so much fun and their dedication to earning badges has certainly kept us busy, we have given out hundreds of badges! We are also so excited for everything we have planned for the remainder of 2022…in May, the Rainbows will be having their first ever sleepover and in June, the Brownies will be doing their first ‘Pack Holiday’ weekend away in almost 3 years! What a fantastic way to celebrate our first year back meeting in person!

Both Guides and Rangers have continued to work hard on all aspects of the Girlguiding programme in 2021-2022. During the Summer term, where meetings were split between online (using the platform Zoom) and face-to-face outdoors, we enjoyed having visitors back to our meetings with an evening of Zumba, a fantastic cricket session led by the Cheshire Cricket Board and a night of bushcraft at Round Pond Adventure, fire lighting and outdoor cooking. We also enjoyed an evening of paddle boarding at Manley Mere, the Guides and Rangers were amazing, the leaders on the other hand were not!

For our ‘Take Action’ activities we collected pyjamas for the children’s ward at the Countess of Chester Hospital to be given out over the Christmas period, Easter 2022 we have successfully collected Easter Eggs for KidsBank which will be distributed to families in need throughout our local community, and further afield we held a fundraising evening lead by the Rangers with all money raised going to ‘Choose Love’, a UK-based organisation which provides humanitarian aid for refugees, in this particular moment for Ukraine.

The St Mary’s Parochial Charities

The Trustees of St Mary’s Parochial Charities, who are the Rector, the two Churchwardens, and two representative trustees elected by the Vestry meeting of the Parish, continue to administer the Parochial Charities in accordance with the Charity Commission Scheme of 1889. Ted Graham had given up the trustee role associated with his service as a Churchwarden, and was replaced by Alison McLellan, the newly appointed warden, at the APCM on the 11[th] of April 2021. Chris Schofield and Helen

Brophy will serve as elected representative trustees until 2025. The clerk to the trustees is Colin Pickering. Chris Schofield assists the chair and the clerk in producing the accounts.

Monies were donated on various dates from about the year 1600 to St Mary on the hill for the relief of the poor and for other charitable purposes. The income for the year ended 30th of April 2021 was £5842, which was an decrease of £439 compared with the figure for 2020. We were able to make donations amounting to £5000. The donations during 2021 have been to Soul Kitchen, Chester Samaritans, the Wednesday Lunch Club, West Cheshire Food Bank and the Pastoral Fund at Overleigh St Mary Church of England Primary School.

The unit trust investments of the Parochial Charities had a value of approximately £115425 as at 30th of April 2021. Most of this value represents capital which cannot be spent under the terms of the Scheme.

Registered Charity No". 1132533 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY-ON-THE HILL. CHESTER KNOWN AS ST MARY WITHOUT-THE-WALLS PCC. CHESTER ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2021 without-the-walls ¢? McLintocks Xeinoclin Group

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY.ON-THE HILL, CHESTER KNOWN AS ST MARY W]THOUT-THE-WALLS PCC. CHESTER STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDEO 318t DECEMBER 2021 221 Gerral Restllcted DesvJTraied FuThJ Futxls Funds 020 Total Funds General Restricted Designated Fund Funds Fund5 Total Funds Incoming REsourco5 Note5 Incoming SourCeS from donors Other voluntary incoming reswrces Activities lor generating furtds DI¥endS and Interest Donations, Grants, Even15 Income 123.239 58.119 48.475 343 123.350 58.119 48.475 99.637 72.212 28.539 336 99.637 72.212 28.539 336 28,520 37.693 37.693 28,520 Total in¢oming re8OUTCeS 230.176 37.693 267.980 21XJ.724 28.520 229.244 Resourc8s Expended Direclty Relalw lo the work oftr CMr Support costs Church managemenl & 8dmirMslralion Interest on Loan Expenditure frotn Reslricled Funds Expenoilure from Destgnaied Fund Total resources exp8nd8d 158.374 20.(h)7 178.381 41KJ 14.764 6.415 153.510 153,510 14.764 6.415 12.191 6,775 12.191 6.775 7.650 46 180.172 7.650 46 46 179.953 20.007 199.960 172.476 7.650 Net loutgolngllineominy resourc95 for the y8ar 50223 17.686 68.020 28.248 20.870 1461 49.072 Balances Brought forwaid 41 1st January 2021 95.472 27.392 2.537 125.401 67,224 6.522 2.583 76.329 Reallocate legacy fund in gerbpral fvrKI lasl YE DesvJnaled forAVsyslem Balances Carried Forward at 31st Dec8mber 2021 110.OWI 16.3591 10.mo 6,359 129.336 45.078 19.(K17 193.421 95.472 27.392 2.537 125.401

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY-ON-THE HILL, CHESTER KNOWN AS ST MARY WITHOUT-THE-WALLS PCG. CHESTER BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER 2021 2021 2020 Notes Fixed Assets Parish Centre 284.789 284,789 Current Assets Sundry Debtors Cash al Bank aftd in hand 2.309 126,501 128.810 1,632 68.229 69.861 Llabilities: Amounts falling due withln One Year Sundry Creditors Loan repayments 10 11 7.678 12,500 20.178 4,249 12.500 16.749 Nèt Current Assets 108,632 53.112 Liabilities.. Amounts falling due after One Year Loan repayffients 11 2Crf),000 212,5QX) Net Assets 193.421 125.401 2021 2020 Funds Iunrestricted Deslgnated Funds Rectory Maintenance Fund Designated for AV Choiffs fund for music pur¢ha5es 2,537 16,359 2,537 General Fund 129.336 95,472 148,343 98,009 Restricted Funds Quiet Comer Fund Vestments Handbridge Cotnmunity Covid-19 Relief Fund Lottery Funded Grant ie.. cosls of rttre fflanagemenl All chLJrchés Trust Co op Local Communty Granl Choral Scholarship fund Grounds and Gardens fund Fixtures and fittings 344 229 1.120 19,341 229 1,120 30.533 6.250 3,859 2.333 410 6.358 45,078 27.392 193.421 125.401 Approved by the Parochial Church Counol on 22nd March 2022 Chairman Rev Dr R Vvhaite Hon Treasurer Mrs H

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY-ON-THE HILL, CHESTER KNOWN AS ST MARY WITHOUT-THE-WALLS PCC, CHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2021 1. Accounting Policles The financial slalemenls have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the Charities SORP. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The financial slalements include all Iransaclions, 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 infom)al gatherings of church members. Funds General Fund and Designated Funds are available for applicatK)n on any of the general purposes of the PCC. Restrictive Funds are only available for the purpose or purposes for which they were established. Incoming Resources Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received. Tax refrjnds are recognised when they are cl8imed. Grants and legacies lo the PCC are accounted for when recetved. Al other income is recognised when il is receivable. All incoming resources are accounted for gross. Resources expended Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over. or when awarded, if that creates a binding or conslruclive obligation on the PCC_ The diocesan parish share is accounted for when due. All other expenditure is generally recognised when il is incurred and is accounted for gross_ Fixed Assets Consecrated and Beneficed propety is excluded from the accounts by S.96{21{c) of the Charities Act 1993. No value is placed on movable church furnishings held by the Chuichwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal since the PCC considers this lo be inalienable property. All expenditure incurred during the year on conse¢raled or beneficed buildings and movable church furnishing. whether maintenance or improvernenl, is wrillen off. Other land and buildings held on behalf of the PCC for its own PUfF)oses is valued at cost. No depreciation is charged against such properties bul any expenditure on maintenance or improvement is written off as incurred. Legacies The policy of the PCC is to use legacies to help fund significant development projects in the parish, whether buildings, equipment or staff. As circumstances change over the years. it may not be possible lo fulfil specific donor requests so church members are encouraged lo leave legacies for Ihe general putposes of the parish.

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY-ON-THE HILL. CHESTER KNOWN AS ST MARY WITHOUT-THE-WALLS PCC, CHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2021 2. Incoming Resources 2021 General Fund 2020 General Fund Notes Incoming resources from donors Planned Giving.. Stewardship Income Tax Recoverable on Gift Aid Cash Collections Collections Funerals Weddings etc. 96,479 22,022 2,971 1,878 123,350 75,787 22,120 1,331 399 99,637 other voluntary Incorning resources Grant Donations - General Donation - Legacy Events Coronavirus grants 9,543 27,659 1,000 22,619 36,000 444 12,149 72,212 2,354 18,563 58,119 Activities for generating funds Magazine Parish Centre lellings Donations lor use of Church Fees 1,691 30,028 6,695 10,061 48.475 1,815 20,228 476 6,020 28,539

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY-ON-THE HILL. CHESTER KNOWN AS ST MARY WITHOUT-THE-WALLS PCC. CHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2021 3. Resources expended Notes 2021 2020 Directly relating to the work of the church Parish Share Clergy Expenses and Supp)rt costs Rectory Costs Assistant Clergy Costs Church Running Expenses Church Maintenan Assistant Cleigy Fees Funeral & wedding costs CDBF Fees Insurance Magazine Costs Parish Centre Running Costs Sunday School, Messy Church etc. 74.620 74,065 501 1,063 914 42,191 1,362 764 8,678 1,522 16,425 16,454 3a 2,920 2,456 7,970 2.416 44,920 3,848 7.446 2,503 18.786 67 153,510 3b 178,381 3a Church Runnin Electricity Gas Director of music Water Verger Service Costs Sundries enses 909 3.469 6.220 {2681 759 1,714 6.540 138 21.379 2,104 9.557 42,191 3.702 2.393 16.425 3b Parish Centre Runnin Parish Administrator Cleaning materials and refuse collecbon Wages Electricity Gas Water Repairs and maintenance Insurance Costs 7,995 1.011 25,514 3.083 1,409 561 3.958 1,389 44.920 7.969 379 5.691 1,889 357 1,135 1,366 18,786 Support costs Event Costs 400 Church management and administration Parish Administrator Printing, Slalionery and associated office costs Bank Charges Audit and Accountancy Legal & professional {Architecti 7.995 2,898 935 1,736 1.200 14.764 7,650 2,970 661 910 12,191

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY.ON.THE HILL, CHESTER KNOWN AS ST MARY WITHOUT-THE-WALLS PCC. CHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 315t DECEMBER 2021 4. Restricted Funds Opening 8alance Donations Grants Interest and Tax Redai Closin9 Balan arned Veslrnents Quiet Comer Parish Centre Fixtures and Fitbngs Handbridge Community CovKJ-19 Relief Fund Lottery Funded Grant re." c051s of centre rnanagefflent All churches Trust Co op Local Community Grant Choral Scholarship fund Grounds and Gardells fund 229 229 344 6.358 1.120 19.341 6.358 1,120 30,533 6.250 3.859 2.333 410 24.351 6.250 3.859 2,333 13.159 490 27.392 37.693 20.007 45.078 Note 1. Repsents funds donated for the provisiDn of clergy veslmenL8. 2. Represents funds donated for the pUoSe of a Quiet Comer associated activit$. 3. Represents funds granted for the purpose of filling out the Parish CeTrlre. 4. Represents funds donated for the purposes of Supporti membets of the local ¢ixnm4Jnity during and after the pandemic 5. Represents funds periodically granted by the Lottery Fund lo defray Ihe cost of salaries for a riod 014 years. 6. Represents funds grant for the purpose of purchasiry and installing AV equipment into the church 7. Represents funds donaled for the purpose of purchasing and installing AV equiptnenl into the churtth 8. RepSentS funds donated for the purpose of Choral schdarships 9. Represents funds donat for the purpose of kTrJscapiThJ aTrJ maiThtainir¥J the garden S. Other Funds Rectory Maintenance FLtnd IDesignatedl £2.537 Represents funds allocated by the PCC from its Unrestled funds forthe mainienarK8 of th8 Rectory. Fund for the pur¢ha$e & in$tsllation of AV equipmertt IDÈsignatÈd} £16.359 Reprèsents funds allocated by the PCC from its general IndS fw the purchase installation ofAV equipmenL Choirs fund IDesignat8dl £111 Represents funds alk)¢aied by the PCC from its geneol luThYs purchase of MU$f0rthe ¢hoY_ General Fund £129.336 Repre5en15 the balance of PCC fvTvJ5. ex11 Re5tllcted FurNts and aller pr) for DesKJrwted FurKIs. 6. Funds on Currerbt Accounts, Deposit Accounts and Cash RÈS Unrestrtted rIcted Tota1 NalWesl- Current Account- General FuThl NalWesl- Current Account- Sl MaFYs Handbe Celltre Lloyd5 8ank- Current Attount Parish Office- Change Float 22,198 7.192 52.021 12 81.423 9,566 35,512 31.764 42.704 52,021 12 126.501 45,078 7. Stsff Costs 2021 2020 Wrfes and salar (including social security c05151 Pension costs 40,145 46,881 319 47,200 41.505 During the year the PCC ernployed a part Pafish Nthwni51rztor. 2 part tirr deanets and 2 part lime Centre As5iStanlS. none of whom earned £60.OCQ annuffl or more.

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY-ON-THE HILL. CHESTER KNOWN AS ST MARY WITHOUT-THE-WALLS PCC, CHESTER NIOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2021 8. Fixed Assets 2021 2020 Parish Centre 284,789 284,789 The Parish Centre was built for a total cost of approximalety £1,600,000 mostly financed from restricted funds (Grants and Donations elc.). The Balance Sheel value represents the build cost nel of grants and donations, financed inlernalty by loans and the use of available unrestricted fund5. 9. Debtors 2021 2020 Debtors and prepayments 2,309 1,632 10. Liabilities: amounts falling due within one year 2021 2020 Creditors. aceruals and defeffed income 7.678 4,249 11. Prlnclpal Loan repayments due within One Year 2021 2020 Loan repayments 12.500 12,500 Liabllities.. Amounts falling due after One Year 2021 2020 Loan repayments 200,000 212,500 A £250.000 loan has been provided by Methodist Chapel Ltd in order to complete the building of the Parish Cenlre. Repayable over enty years al £12.500 p_a. together with interest. The interest rate is variable and at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2021 was 2.90

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE PAROCIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY-ON-THE-HILL. CHESTER KNOWN AS ST MARY WITHOUT-THE-WALLS PCC. CHESTER I report on the accounts of the Parochial Church Council foi the year ended 31st December 2021. which are set out on pages 1 10 7. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examlner As the members of the Parochial Church Council you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts., you consider that an audit is not required for this year under Regulation 3131 of the Church Accounting Regulations 1997 and Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examinab.on is required. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Acl- to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission lunder Section 14515llbl of the Charits"es Acll. and lo slate whelhei particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examlner's report My examination was carried out In accordance with the Genefal Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Parochial Church Council and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seeking of explanations from you as Iruslees conwning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as lo whether the accounts present a 'lrue and fair view. and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below. Independent examlnerfs statement In connection with my examination. no matter has come lo my aitenlion.. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe Ihal in any material respe¢ the requirements= (al lo keep accounting records in accordan with section 130 of the Charities Act", and {bl lo prepare account5 which accord with the accolsnting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met., or 2. To which. in rny opinion. allenlion should be drawn in order to enab a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Alastair J Jeffco AFCA Mclintocks INWI Ltd Chartered Accountants 2 Hilliards Court Chester Business Park CHESTER CH4 9PX