# **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH** 

**Registered Charity 1132562** 

**Report and Financial Statements Year ended 31 December 2020** 



THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE
ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH
Registered Charity 1132562

**THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

## **Contents** 

|**Contents**||
|---|---|
|**Annual Report**|**3 – 12**|
|**Aim and purpose**|**3**|
|**Vision, priorities and goals**|**3**|
|**Our church community**|**4**|
|**Activities (including fundraising)**|**4**|
|**Plans for future periods**|**7**|
|**Financial review**|**7**|
|**Going concern**|**8**|
|**Reserves policy**|**8**|
|**Risk management**|**8**|
|**Structure, governance and management**|**8**|
|**Administrative information**|**11**|
|**Independent Examiner’s Report**|**13**|
|**Statement of Financial Activities**|**14**|
|**Balance Sheet**|**15**|
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|**16 – 23**|



3 



THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE
ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH
Registered Charity 1132562

## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

## **Annual Report for 2020** 

## **Aim and purposes** 

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Sawbridgeworth (“the  PCC”)  is  registered  as  a  separate  charity,  number  1132562.  The members of the PCC have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. 

The primary object of the PCC is to promote the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England. The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the Incumbent in promoting in the  ecclesiastical  parish  the  whole  mission  of  the  church  -  pastoral, evangelistic,  social  and  ecumenical.  It  fulfils  this  responsibility  through periodic meetings and a range of other activities. 

## **Vision, priorities and goals** 

On 12 April 2018, the PCC adopted the Mission Action Plan 2018-2023 (the MAP). _**Our vision**_ for how we want to be described in five years’ time, in terms of faith and discipleship, nurture of new disciples and service to our community is: 

**Walking in humility with God, loving one another and sharing God’s love with the wider community.** 

## _**Our five-year priorities**_ defined in 2018 were: 

- **Growing in personal faith, spirituality and loving relationships** 

- **Welcoming and providing for all generations and needs** 

- **Sharing  God’s love in service and  healing  within the church family and wider community** 

Our _**three key goals**_ as of April 2018 were: 

1. To  achieve  good  participation  in  three  activities  designed  to  grow commitment to faith, by 2020 

2. To pilot “Messy Church” and assess its long-term sustainability, by 2019 

3. To greet new residents to Sawbridgeworth by taking Welcome Packs to their homes, by 2019 

Due  to  the  many  issues  that  arose  due  to  the  pandemic  and  lockdown measures, coupled with the vacancy period, the PCC was not able to devote its energies to achieving these three key goals or undertaking many of its planned activities and projects. It focused its attention on providing support 

5 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

to the vulnerable, recording a service of morning prayer or the Eucharist each Sunday, opening the church daily for private prayer when permitted to do so and making arrangements for the arrival of the new Incumbent. It adhered to the latest health, safety, social distancing and sanitising requirements, and ensured continued good governance and sound finances. 

## **Our church community** 

In September 2020, we were delighted to welcome our new Incumbent, Revd Simon  Vivian  and  family,  whose  arrival  was  delayed  due  to  lockdown measures. We look forward to many years of Simon’s ministry among us and within the wider community. 

As at the end of 2020, there were 110 people entered on the church Electoral Roll, 18 of whom were not resident within the parish.  We were pleased to welcome new regular worshippers and visitors. 

We hold in our prayers those who no longer worship with us regularly or who moved away during 2020. 


We give special thanks for all health workers  and  carers,  who  tirelessly and  bravely  nursed  and  cared  for others during the pandemic. And we hold in our prayers the families and friends  of  those  who  have  passed away due  to  the  coronavirus  or  for other reasons. May they rest in peace and rise in glory. 

## **Activities** 

**With many thanks to so many for so much, during a difficult year for all.** 

## _**Worship and thanksgiving**_ 

Prior to the end of March 2020, the normal Sunday services were a said Eucharist at 8.00am, a sung Eucharist at 9.30am and an evening service at 6.30pm. Morning Prayer was said daily on Monday to Thursday, and there was a Eucharist each Thursday at 9.30am. In early March, we helped to organise (with other churches in Sawbridgeworth) the World Day of Prayer, which was held at Great St Mary’s church. Sadly, thereafter we were not able to provide our usual programme of regular or special services for events in the church calendar. 

6 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

With rising cases of the coronavirus towards the end of March 2020, and the advice  from  government  to  stay  home,  protect  the  NHS  and  save  lives, churches across the country were requested to close their church buildings. Although public worship was temporarily on hold, home worship and private prayer continued. Revd Debbie Hore recorded a weekly podcast of morning prayer, which was broadcast every Sunday, including a service of Stations of the  Cross  during  Easter  week.  From  May,  the  videos  included  recorded contributions, readings and prayers from our lay reader, Mrs Diana Kitson and others, as well as music, hymns and photographs. 

Orders of service were available on the website and copies delivered to those without internet access, so that worshippers at home could participate fully in the service. A weekly pastoral letter included a short reflection on the gospel reading and an email each Sunday enabled us to direct our thoughts and prayers. 

Public  worship  in  church  resumed  during  August, subject  to  strict  requirements  on  social  distancing, sanitising and the wearing of face masks. With the help of a very generous donation of equipment and expertise, the Sunday morning service of the Eucharist was recorded and streamed live. Our bellringers  welcomed  worshippers  by  playing  hand bells in the churchyard. Also, the church was open daily for private prayer 


The induction of Revd Simon took place on 20 September 2020, with the Bishop of St Albans presiding and preaching. We were delighted to welcome the Archdeacon of Hertford, the Rural Dean, the Mayor of Sawbridgeworth, other visiting clergy and officials, and members of Revd Simon’s family. 


Instead of scores of people attending a parade and Town's Remembrance Service, over a few days either side of Remembrance Sunday, wreathes were quietly laid at the War Memorial by the Mayor, representatives of the Town Council and organisations, and the British Legion. Later in November, we  were  able  to  welcome  Sunday  Club back into church. 

On 13 December we joined the Evangelical Congregational church’s online community carol service,  and  ahead  of  the  second  lockdown,  our Director of Music, the choir and guest singers recorded Christmas Carols, which were broadcast on Christmas Eve. In the days running up to Christmas, the church was open for private prayer. Visitors could see the Nativity Crib and decorate and put messages on the Christmas Tree. Our one act of public worship 

7 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

was on Christmas morning, with appropriate distancing measures. 

**Thanks to all those involved in ensuring our worship runs smoothly and is so enriched. And Special thanks to our Churchwardens and Health & Safety Officer, who unstintingly ensured that all appropriate measures were taken to enable the church to open whenever government and Church of England guidelines permitted.** 

## _**Pastoral**_ 

Much of the pastoral work usually comes through the occasional offices of baptisms, weddings and funerals, together with home visits to the sick and housebound. Coronavirus and lockdown measures meant that we had to do things differently in 2020. From March, we were no longer able to provide home visits to those unable to attend church, except in extreme circumstances, and hospital visiting was not allowed.  We continue to miss those who are self-isolating at home. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families. 

At the beginning of the first lockdown we realised that the pastoral care of so many  could  become  difficult  to  manage.  From  April,  several  volunteers provided  pastoral  support  via  telephone  call  to  small  groups  of  people, keeping them in touch with news from the church and identifying those who might need extra support. The volunteers were a great help to the Ministry team  throughout  2020  and  continue  to  have  a  caring  impact  on  our worshipping community. 

During 2020 we baptised two children and married two couples. We wish them joy and love on life’s journey. We conducted 24 funerals (10 in the church when permitted) and eight interments. Our dear friends are remembered with love and we continue to keep their families in our prayers. 

## **A big thank you to our Ministry team for their pastoral work, to our Pastoral volunteers and others who support people in times of need.** 

## _**Mission and giving**_ 

It is PCC policy  to give  10% of regular committed stewardship (plus tax recoverable)  to  other  charitable  causes,  of  which  60%  is  allocated  to overseas causes and 40% to U.K. causes.  Details of the amounts given in 2020 from 2019 stewardship income are detailed in note 10 to the financial statements. In addition, whenever possible  throughout the year, the PCC made collections and undertook fundraising for specific causes. Details of payments made are also detailed in note 10. 

8 



# **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

## **A heartfelt thank you for the hard work of our Outreach Committee and the many others who organise or help at events when we raise funds for other charities.** 

## _**Outreach**_ 

Our wider links with children and young people are very important. Ahead of visiting  restrictions,  the  Ministry  team  maintained  contact  with  all  the Sawbridgeworth primary schools through assemblies, services and church visits. Revd Simon is a foundation governor of Spellbrook Primary School and Revd  Debbie  was  co-opted  onto  the  chair  of  governors  of  Fawbert  and Barnard Primary School. 

Sadly, our usual Schools’ Harvest Festival Service with pupils from four local schools, and the Christmas services for Reedings Junior School and Spellbrook Primary School, could not take place this year. Our regular engagement with the uniformed organisations through the Scouts AGM, the Scouts & Guides St George’s  Day  Service  and  Remembrance  Sunday  was  curtailed.  And  the Christian Aid “Big Breakfast”, our popular “All Age” events and participation in Town activities such as Fun on the Fair and the turning on of the Christmas lights did not happen. 

However, volunteers continued to do a splendid job organising collections of food to support the Harlow Foodbank, whose existing and new customers needed their services more than ever. 

Also, we joined with other churches in Sawbridgeworth and High Wych in a Churches Together  Action  Group,  whose  aim  was  to  provide help, support, advice and guidance to those living in the  wider  area  of  the  town.  Teams  of  volunteers shopped and picked up prescriptions for  vulnerable residents.  And  we  joined  an  initiative  to  provide “Christmas in a Bag” to local residents who may not otherwise  have  had  festive  treats.  It  was  a  great accomplishment to have all our local churches working in partnership, caring for the community and loving our neighbours. 


To maintain contact when the church was closed, the Churchwardens initiated a weekly “Churchwardens Calling” email. Within a week of lockdown, Revd Debbie set up a Great St Mary’s Facebook group, to stay in touch with our worshipping community and to reach out to those who live in Sawbridgeworth and beyond. The group published daily prayers, news from Great St. Mary’s, the Church of England and Harlow Foodbank, plus links to our online services. It started with about a dozen invited members and had over 130 members by the end of 2020, more than half of whom do not usually worship with us – a remarkable form of outreach. 

9 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

## _**Spellbrook CoE Primary School**_ 

Spellbrook School is a voluntary controlled Church of England primary school. It is legally owned by the trustees of its Church of England foundation, but is controlled by Hertfordshire Local Education Authority, which has full financial responsibility for its maintenance. The school’s mission is to provide the best education for each child within the context of a caring Christian community 

Great St Mary’s church is represented on its governing body and fosters links between the school, the church and the local community. The Incumbent is, _ex officio_ , a foundation governor and the Diocese, in liaison with the PCC, appoints a second foundation governor. Revd Simon is liaising with the new head teacher on collective worship and on re-instating visits to the school and other activities as soon as restrictions are lifted. 

## _**Fundraising**_ 

Section 162a of the Charities Act 2011 requires charities to make a statement regarding fundraising activities. We confirm that all solicitations are managed internally,  without  involvement  of  commercial  participators,  professional fundraisers  or  third  parties.  The  day-to-day  management  of  all  income generation is delegated to the Vicar, Churchwardens and appointed officials (see page 12). Although the Charity is not required to be bound by any regulatory scheme, the Charity complies with the relevant codes of practice. We have received no complaints in relation to fundraising activities (2019: none). 

## **Additional financial support was received, with thanks, from the Sawbridgeworth Ecclesiastical Charity, the Friends of Great St. Mary’s and others.** 

## _**Surprise gift**_ 


After the first lockdown, we received a surprise gift in the shape of a model of the church made of 12,000 matchsticks, built by Chris Mockford over 12 weeks in the evenings. Even its base uses matchsticks and in the drawers are photos of its construction and the finished model. An engraved plaque is a permanent reminder of the 2020 pandemic. Like the church during the first lockdown, the model does not have a weathercock at the top of its spire. The cockerel has since been restored, but the model church will remain without a weathercock, accurately capturing when it was made. 

## **Plans for future periods** 

10 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

The PCC is committed to resuming full activities as soon as it is safe to do so, in line with government guidance. We will introduce new ways of communicating  and  engaging  with  our  church members and the wider community. We will reinvigorate our worship, faith, pastoral, outreach and  social  activities,  seeking  to  provide  for  all generations and needs. 

In addition to completing projects on the estate that could not be actioned during 2020, we will take forward work on implementing the Statement of Needs and take necessary actions to move our finances towards a sustainable position. 


## **Financial Review** 

In 2020, the PCC’s finances were heavily impacted by loss of hall hire and other income. Despite considerable efforts to cut costs and the postponement of planned project work on the estate, there was _**a loss of £43,255 on day-to-day income and expenditure**_ and _**a net outflow of £4,282**_ from the restricted fund for relevant expenditure on the estate. The position would have been worse had it not been for the commitment and generosity of our church community and other donors. 

At the end of the year, our investments with CCLA had risen by £56,517 – a very welcome increase, given they had fallen by about £95,000 as at March 2020. Together  with  investment  income  of  £28,355, there  was _**a  net increase in our total funds of £37,335**_ . £30,000 was redeemed from our investments in the autumn to meet the deficit and some planned works (which were subsequently postponed again due to lockdown). 

The _**investment policy**_ is considered at regular intervals by the Stewardship & Finance Committee and the PCC. Information was provided by CCLA, which was considered by the PCC at its February 2020 meeting. Both investment funds  are  actively  managed,  allowing  CCLA  to  anticipate  or  respond  to market developments. The PCC concluded that there should be no change in investment policy or investments at that time but noted that CCLA advised that the return on investments in the CCLA Fixed Interest Fund would fall in 2020. 

## **Going Concern** 

Looking forward to 2021, the relationship between income and expenditure, which has not been healthy for several years, is now a _**major concern**_ , with _**a predicted deficit of over £60,000**_ excluding any capital gain or loss. Moreover, when we redeem investments to help fund expenditure, we reduce not only our capital but our income from those investments. 

11 



**THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

The PCC believes it is financially viable for the next 12 months, even with the pressures of the current pandemic. The general unrestricted reserves balance remains above the appropriate level of reserves and is sufficient for activities to be maintained for 12 months. 

## **Risk Management** 

The PCC believes that significant potential risks relate to health and safety, safeguarding  of  children  and  vulnerable  adults,  security  of  physical  and financial assets, IT systems and data protection. We reviewed and updated all bar two of our risk management and related policies during autumn 2020, and the remaining two in February 2021. In September 2020, the finance computer was replaced and the software, protection and back-up functionality upgraded on both office computers. 

## **Reserves policy** 

The  accounting  rules  under  which  the  financial  statements  are  prepared require  funds  to  be  analysed between those  that, on the  one  hand,  are restricted  to  specific  purposes  and  those  that,  on  the  other  hand,  are unrestricted. Restricted funds comprise special collections and other fundraising activity for specific causes, together with fundraising and grants for certain fabric and insurance costs, and for the repair and maintenance of certain graves. 

Unrestricted funds comprise all other funds, which may be designated for various purposes. The PCC has designated three unrestricted funds: 

- a property capital fund, which at all times equals the balance sheet value of the properties 

- a legacy capital fund, being the accumulation of legacies received 

- a general fund containing the balance 

The PCC considers that the amount of reserves necessary to ensure the work of the church continues at present levels is around £175,000 - this amounts to  approximately  12  months  of  recurring  expenditure,  excluding  mission giving and payments to specific causes.  As the unrestricted general fund stood at £442,397 at 31 December 2020 (see page 15; £402,780 at the end of 2019), there was an excess of over £267,000, which is held to finance working capital and capital projects. Restricted funds at 31 December 2020 were £9,293 (2019: £13,575). 

## **Structure, governance and management** 

The  method  of  appointment  of  PCC  members  is  set  out  in  the  Church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. 

The PCC met nine times in 2020 and average attendance was 84%. Due to restrictions, the PCC agreed that meetings could take place via an online 

12 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

facility. Zoom was chosen as it was accessible to most members. Six of the nine  meetings  took  place  via  Zoom.  Attendance  at  some  meetings  was impacted by IT connectivity issues for some PCC members. 

In  addition  to  routine  business  (which  included  regular  Health  &  Safety, Safeguarding and Financial reports), major items of business included: 

- Agreeing to establish a working group to draw up recommendations to the PCC on implementing the Statement of Needs, with specific focus on the church building 

- Agreeing recipients of mission giving from 2019 stewardship 

- Receiving the Financial Report and Accounts for 2019 

- Agreeing  operating  protocols  for  the  church  and  halls  as  lockdown restrictions evolved 

- Implementing cost reductions 

## _**Safeguarding**_ 

The PCC complied with its duty under section 5 of the _Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016_ to have due regard to the House of Bishop’s Guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. It reviewed and updated its Safeguarding Policy and safeguarding information on the church website. 

## _**Data protection**_ 

The  PCC  complied with the requirements of the _General Data Protection Regulation_ .  It  reviewed  and  updated  its  Data  Protection  and  Records Management Policy and the Data Privacy Notice on the church website. 

## _**The PCC’s responsibilities**_ 

The  PCC  is  responsible  for  preparing  the  Annual  Report  and  Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted  Accounting  Practice.  The  PCC  is  required  to  prepare  financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the PCC and of the financial activities of the PCC for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the PCC members are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102); 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state  whether  applicable  accounting  standards  and  statements  of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and 

- prepare the financial statements on the going-concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the PCC will continue in operation. 

13 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

The PCC is responsible for keeping proper books and accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the PCC and that enable it to ensure the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. It is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the PCC and, hence, for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

The PCC members confirm that, so far as they are aware, there is no relevant information of which the PCC’s independent examiners are unaware. They have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as PCC members to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the PCC’s independent examiners are aware of that information. 

## _**PCC Committees**_ 

Much of the PCC’s business is achieved by delegating certain responsibilities to the following committees, whose terms of reference were reviewed and updated by the PCC in October 2020: 

## _**Standing Committee**_ 

_Chair: Revd Simon Vivian from October 2020_ 

The  Standing Committee  did not meet for much of the year due  to the vacancy and lockdown measures. In October 2020, the PCC agreed that the Committee has the power to act on behalf of the PCC for issues that need urgent  attention  between  PCC  meetings  and  that  it  can  conduct  such discussions via email. 

## _**Fabric & Churchyard Committee**_ 

_Chair:  Peter Clark_ 

This  Committee,  in  collaboration  with  the  Vicar  and  Churchwardens,  has oversight  of  the  maintenance,  repair  and  improvement  of  the  church building,  St  Mary’s  Lodge,  the  Parish  Hall,  Church  House,  and  the  other church-owned land and buildings. It oversees the activities of the monthly Churchyard Working Party, which maintains the churchyard and associated grounds. 


A major project was successfully completed at the start of  the  year.  The  conservation  of  the  Leventhorpe Monument was funded largely by the Friends of Great St  Mary’s  and  a  grant  from  Church  Care  and  the Radcliffe  Trust  (via  the  Archbishop’s  Council).  Other major expenses were the design and fitting of security grilles  on  three  north-side  windows  and  boiler  roof repairs, for which we received grants from the Sawbridgeworth Ecclesiastical Charity. Otherwise, much of the Committee’s planned work was severely curtailed in 2020, initially due to financial constraints and  then  due  to  the  pandemic.  Necessary  annual 

14 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

check and maintenance activities and the most urgent tree work took place, along with a few more urgent projects, but other projects had to be put on hold for 2020. 

The 2017 Quinquennial Report showed that the church was generally in a good state. Contractors were  engaged to do work in 2020, but this was delayed  due  to  access  constraints  during  lockdowns.  Before  the  first lockdown, a storm blew down the metal weathercock. A five-man team of steeplejacks replaced the magnificently re-gilded and repaired the weathercock in the summer, videoed from their drone and watched by local passers-by (see page 2). This expense was largely covered by the church’s insurance policy. 

When the pandemic intervened, the workload switched to keeping the buildings safe for whatever use was possible. They were equipped with all the necessary sanitising stations, signage and social distancing measures and risk assessments were prepared. 

The church was similarly made COVID-safe, initially with complete closure, then by opening for public worship and private prayer and the safe return of the choir and bellringers. The largest challenge of hosting the Induction of Revd Simon, while ensuring social distances, ventilation and a one-way system, was met. Similar arrangements were put in place for regular Sunday services after the first lockdown and for Christmas Day. The NHS Track & Trace system was set up. 

The  Parish  Hall  is  in  a  good  state  of  repair,  but  there  has  been  a  slow deterioration of Church House, which needs work on the upper floors and stairways to bring them into line with current health and safety requirements and to stop them deteriorating further. The roof and the exterior paintwork also need attention. 

Volunteers in the Churchyard Working Party met regularly except at the height of the first wave of the pandemic, when the churchyard was left to nature. On their return, shortly before the Induction, they excelled in bringing the churchyard back to order and tidiness. However, work on trees identified for urgent attention could not be done. 

## **With special thanks to the dedicated team of volunteers in the Churchyard Working Party and fond memories of Committee member, Nick Bright RIP.** 

## _**Outreach Committee**_ 

## _Chair:  Anthony Heard until 5 March 2020; Val Bright from 5 March 2020_ 

This Committee promotes the engagement of the church with the community at local, diocesan and national levels. It develops and has oversight of a policy of nurture for all ages of the church family. It has general oversight 

15 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

(with the Churchwardens during the Vacancy) of the Ministry of welcome within Great St Mary’s. 

The Committee also works to increase awareness of the mission work of the wider church outside the parish. It recommends to the PCC the recipients of the amount the PCC sets aside for mission giving and it seeks to promote awareness of work undertaken by the recipients of the mission giving. 

The Committee was able to meet only once in 2020, but outreach continued and in new ways (see page 6). 

## _**Stewardship & Finance Committee**_ 

## _Chair:  Paul Bard_ 

This  Committee  has  oversight  of  the  PCC’s  finances  and  stewardship activities. To fulfil this responsibility, it monitors both incoming and outgoing resources, as well as monitoring the deployment of the net assets, including investment policy and performance. It provides advice and support to the Treasurer and reports regularly to the PCC on the financial position, financial controls and all matters impacting the PCC’s finances. 

The Committee met three times in 2020. At each meeting, the Committee received a report from the Treasurer on the PCC’s financial position. At the beginning of the year, it considered a draft forecast for 2020, against which actual income and expenditure were monitored throughout 2020. At the end of  the  year,  it  considered  the  provisional outcome  for  2020  and  a  draft forecast for 2021, which will be presented to the PCC for approval at its first meeting in 2021. 

The Committee reviewed and made recommendations to the PCC on the hire rates, discretionary fees and other rates to be applied in 2021. It reviewed the  PCC’s  Financial  Controls  Policy,  for  approval  by  the  PCC  at  its  first meeting in 2021. It reviewed and initiated new forms of online channels via which donations are received, including Easyfundraising. 

**With Considerable thanks to the Treasurer, the Stewardship Recorder, the Money Counters and the organiser of Church & Town for his work in securing and administering payments for advertisements.** 

## **Administrative information** 

_**Address:**_ The PCC oversees the activities of Great St Mary’s church, which is situated in Church Street, Sawbridgeworth. It is part of the Diocese of St Albans within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Parish Office, Church House, 1, Vantorts Road, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire CM21 9AH. 

_**Website:**_ www.sawbridgeworthchurch.org.uk 

16 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

_**Data  privacy:**_ Contact  the  Parish  Office.  You  can  also  contact  the Information Commissioner’s Office on 0303 123 1113 or via https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/email/. 

_**Incumbent:**_ From 20 September 2020, The Reverend Simon Vivian, The Vicarage, Sheering Mill Lane, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire CM21 9ND. 

_**Ministry team:**_ The Reverend Debbie Hore, Associate Minister and Mrs Diana Kitson, Reader. 

_**Office staff:**_ Until 17 July 2020, Mrs Christina Goan, Parish Administrator. 

The _**members of the PCC**_ who served from 1 January 2020 until the date this report was approved are: 

Revd Simon Vivian _Incumbent (Chair), from 20 September 2020_ Anthony Heard _Churchwarden;  Chair  of  Outreach  Committee until 5 March 2020_ Shona Passfield _Churchwarden (Chair), until 16 August 2020_ Angela Alder _PCC Secretary_ Paul Bard _Chair of Stewardship & Finance Committee_ Nicholas Bright _Until 17 May 2020. May he rest in peace and rise in glory_ Valerie Bright _Chair  of  Outreach  Committee  from  5  March 2020_ Peter Clark _Health  &  Safety  Officer,  Chair  of  Fabric  & Churchyard Committee_ 

Deborah Cubitt Mark Hemsley Revd Debbie Hore _Associate Minister_ Diana Kitson _Reader, Deanery Synod Representative_ Marian Newby Anne Smith _Until 18 October 2020_ Sarah Vickers _Appointed 18 October 2020_ 

Among others that contribute considerable time and resources to the work of Great St Mary’s, there are officers who are not members of the PCC: 

Fay Clark _Electoral Roll Officer and Spellbrook CoE School Foundation Governor_ Huw Lewis _Stewardship Recorder_ Hazel Mead _Safeguarding Officer_ Julie Patterson _Treasurer_ 

_**Architect/surveyor:**_ Tony Redman of Whitworth Co Partnership. 

_**Bankers:**_ TSB Bank plc, 37 Bell Street Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire CM21 9AR and Barclays Bank plc, 10 North Street, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 2LU. 

17 



# **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

_**Independent  Examiners:**_ Price  Bailey  LLP,  Causeway  House,  1  Dane Street, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 3BT. 

_Signe_ **Anthony Heard** _d_ Churchwarden of Great St Mary’s, Sawbridgeworth 

_Dated_ 

## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the members of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Sawbridgeworth** 

I report to the members of the PCC on my examination of the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2020 which are set out on pages 15 to 23. 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

As the members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). 

I report in respect of my examination of the PCC’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 

- accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 

- the accounts do not accord with those records; or 

- the  accounts  do  not  comply  with  the  applicable  requirements concerning 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. 

18 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

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. 

## **Michael Cooper-Davis** 

**FCCA** 

**ACA** 

**Date:** 

For and on behalf of Price Bailey LLP Causeway House 1 Dane Street Bishop’s Stortford Hertfordshire CM23 3BT 

19 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year ended 31 December 2020** 

|**INCOME**<br>Note|**Unrestri**<br>**cted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**|**Unrestri**<br>**cted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**|**Restric**<br>**ted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**|**Restric**<br>**ted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**|**2020**<br>**Total**|**2020**<br>**Total**|**2019**<br>**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|_Voluntary income_||||||||
|Planned giving|28,803||||28,803||31,447|
|Other donations<br>2|10,169||||10,169||14,040|
|Collections for other charities<br>3|||2,098||2,098||6,477|
|Tax received/claimed<br>4|10,574||431||11,005||11,526|
|Grants<br>5|3,155||33,059||36,214||4,038|
|Legacies<br>6|2,000||||2,000||-|
||54,701||35,588||90,289||67,528|
|_Church activities_||||||||
|Fees - weddings & funerals<br>7|9,474||||9,474||13,995|
|Property lettings<br>8|16,506||||16,506||31,114|
|Advertising income|4,539||||4,539||9,695|
|Fundraising & sponsorship<br>Other|121||108||108<br>121||1,398<br>11|
||30,640||108||30,748||56,213|
|||||||||
|_Investment income_<br>9|28,355||||28,355||29,842|
|||||||||
|**_Total income_**|**113,69**<br>**6**||**35,69**<br>**6**||**149,39**<br>**2**||**153,583**|
|||||||||
|**EXPENDITURE**||||||||
|_Church activities_||||||||
|Mission & charitable giving<br>10|4,280||2,513||6,793||10,777|
|Ministry<br>11|71,900||||71,900||70,886|
|Regular church services<br>12|5,841||||5,841||9,958|
|Fees paid – weddings & funerals<br>Properties<br>13<br>14|5,710<br>23,065||37,465||5,710<br>60,530||9,115<br>37,167|
|Magazine|2,301||||2,301||8,750|
|Administration<br>15|12,589||||12,589||23,185|
|Other<br>16|1,290||||1,290||3,907|
||126,976||39,978||166,954||173,745|
|_Governance_||||||||
|Independent examination fee|1,620||||1,620||1,560|
|||||||||
|||||||||
|**_Total expenditure_**|**128,59**<br>**6**||**39,97**<br>**8**||**168,57**<br>**4**||**175,305**|
|||||||||
|**Net incoming/(outgoing)**<br>**resources before other**<br>**recognised gains and losses**|**(14,900)**||**(4,282**<br>**)**||**(19,182)**||**(21,722)**|
|Divestment proceeds|**30,000**||||**30,000**||**15,000**|
|Net gain/(loss) on revaluation of<br>investments<br>18|26,517||||26,517||106,058|
|**Net movement in funds**|**41,617**||**(4,282**<br>**)**||**37,335**||**99,336**|



20 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

|Funds brought forward|1,433,39<br>7|13,575|1,446,97<br>2|1,347,636|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Funds carried forward**|**1,475,0**<br>**14**|**9,293**|**1,484,3**<br>**07**|**1,446,9**<br>**72**|



The notes on pages 16 to 23 form part of these financial statements 

## **BALANCE SHEET at 31 December 2020** 

|**BALANCE SHEET**<br>**at 31 December 2020**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Not<br>e|**2020**<br>**£**||**2019**<br>**£**|
|**Fixed assets**||||
|Tangible<br>17|490,000||490,000|
|Investments<br>18|955,295||928,778|
||1,445,29<br>5||1,418,77<br>8|
|**Current assets**||||
|Debtors<br>19|9,911||10,807|
|Short term deposits<br>20|14,801||7,446|
|Cash at bank and in hand|19,144||14,294|
||43,856||32,547|
|**Liabilities**||||
|Creditors payable within one year<br>21|(4,844)||(4,353)|
|||||
|**Net current assets**|39,012||28,194|
|||||
|**TOTAL NET ASSETS**|**1,484,**<br>**307**||**1,446,**<br>**972**|
|||||
|**Funds**<br>22||||
|||||
|_Unrestricted_||||
|Property capital|490,000||490,000|
|Legacy capital|542,617||540,617|
|General|442,397||402,780|
||1,475,01<br>4||1,433,39<br>7|
|||||
|_Restricted_|9,293||13,575|
|||||
||**1,484,**<br>**307**||**1,446,**<br>**972**|



21 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 23 March 2021 and signed on its behalf by: 

## **Anthony Heard** – Churchwarden 

## **Angela Alder** – PCC Secretary 

The notes on pages 16 to 23 form part of these financial statements 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2020** 

## **1. Accounting policies** 

## _**Basis of preparation**_ 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities:  Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to  charities  preparing  their  accounts  in  accordance  with  the  Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective  1  January  2019)  –  (Charities  SORP  (FRS  102)),  the  Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and the Church Accounting Regulations 2006. 

The  PCC  constitutes  a  public  benefit  entity  as  defined  by  FRS102.  The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effect from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn 

The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  under  the  historical  cost convention, except that properties are included at valuation and investments are included at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities  for which the  Parochial Church Council (“PCC”) is responsible in law. They do not include the financial statements of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of church members. 

## _**Going concern**_ 

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the PCC members believe that no material uncertainties exist. The PCC members 

22 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted  income  and  expenditure  deficit  is  covered  with  the  support  of withdrawing funds from the investments, as held within unrestricted general funds, and therefore enables the PCC to continue as a going concern. A detailed commentary on its impact is detailed in the Annual Report on page 8. 

## _**Funds**_ 

- _Unrestricted designated funds_ Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside at the discretion of the PCC for specific purposes. The property capital fund is represented by the value of property held. The legacy capital fund is the aggregate of legacies received  and  is  represented  by  assets  held  for  future  major  capital projects. 

- _Unrestricted general funds_ Unrestricted funds are those funds which can be used for the ordinary purposes of the PCC. 

   - _Restricted funds_ 

- Restricted funds arise where collections are made or fundraising undertaken for specific  causes, or where  income is subject to specific conditions imposed by donors or grant-making organisations. 

## _**Incoming resources**_ 

- _Stewardship, service collections and donations_ Amounts are recognised when received; at which point income tax recoverable is accounted for. 

- _Other voluntary income_ Grants and legacies are recognised once the PCC has entitlement to the income, it  is  probable  that  the  income  will  be  received  and  the  amount  of  income receivable can be measured reliably. 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2020 (continued)** 

- _Church fees_ 

Wedding and funeral fees are recognised when the event occurs. 

- _Advertising income_ Income is recognised following the publication of a magazine. 

- _Property lettings_ Rental income from the letting of premises is recognised when due. 

- _Investment income, fundraising and sponsorship_ Income is recognised when received. 

## _**Gifts in kind**_ 

Assets donated to the PCC are included in the financial records at valuation at the date of gift. 

## _**Resources expended**_ 

23 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

Amounts  are  recognised when payable  and include  irrecoverable  VAT.  All costs have been directly allocated to the relevant activity and fund. 

## _**Tangible fixed assets**_ 

- _Consecrated land and buildings and moveable church furnishings_ Consecrated  and  benefice  property  is  excluded  from  the  financial statements  under  the  Charities  Act  2011.  No  value  is  placed  on moveable church furnishings that require a faculty for their disposal as they are considered by the PCC as inalienable property. 

- _Other real estate_ 

   - Given the unusual nature and features of the freehold properties (note 17), the properties are held at residual value based on valuations by Wright  &  Co,  a  local  estate  agent,  in  November  2010.  Thus,  no depreciation has been charged. 

- _Fixtures and fittings_ 

   - Items costing up to £10,000 are written off in the period in which the assets are acquired. 

## _**Investments**_ 

Investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date. Unrealised gains and losses arising from movements in market values during the year are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial Activities based on the market value at the year end. 

## _**Stock**_ 

Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. 

## _**Debtors**_ 

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement value before any trade discounts due. 

## _**Cash at bank**_ 

Cash  at  bank  and  in  hand  includes  cash  and  short-term  highly  liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar accounts. 

## _**Creditors**_ 

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured  or  estimated  reliably.  Creditors  and  provisions  are  normally recognised at the settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts. 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2020 (continued)** 

## _**Financial instruments**_ 

The Charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially 

24 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

recognised  at  transaction  value  and  subsequently  measured  at  their  fair value as at the balance sheet date. All financial instruments of the charity are measured at cost. 

Financial assets include the bank balances, trade debtors and other debtors, but exclude prepayments and taxation. 

Financial  liabilities  include  trade  creditors,  other  creditors,  accruals  and deferred income, but exclude social security and other taxes due. 

## _**Key Source of Judgement and Estimate Uncertainty**_ 

No significant judgements, accounting policies or assumptions have been made by the PCC in applying the Charity’s accounting policies. 

## _**Transactions involving members of the PCC and connected persons**_ 

Members of the PCC are obliged to declare any interest in any proposed transaction that involves them or connected persons, and to withdraw from any  discussions  and  not  participate  in  any  vote  taken.  Any  transactions undertaken by or on behalf of the PCC and involving members of the PCC and/or connected persons are detailed in notes 11 and 23. 

## **2.  Donations, other than planned giving** 

||||
|---|---|---|
|**Donations, other than planned giving**|**2020**<br>**2019**||
||£|£|
|Donations under Gift Aid|6,430|7,076|
|Other donations|2,457|2,456|
|Collections in church services<br>|1,232|3,153|
|Donations towards specifed unrestricted expenditure|50|1,055|
|Restricted donations|-|300|
||10,169|14,04<br>0|



Donations  under  Gift  Aid  included  one  donation  of  £1,250  including  tax recoverable (2019: one donation of £6,000 including tax recoverable) and there was  one  other  large  donation  of  £1,000  (2019:  nil).  Unrestricted  donations totalled £10,169 (2019: £13,740) and restricted nil (2019: £300). 

## **3.  Collections for other specific causes (restricted)** 

The figure of £2,098 (2019: £6,477) comprised £1,174 (2019: £667) of giving under Gift Aid and £924 (2019: £5,810) of other giving. (See also Note 10). 

## **4.  Tax received/claimed** 

Tax recoverable on giving under Gift Aid in 2020 is estimated at £9,020 (2019: £9,779  estimated;  £9,943  received).  £1,437  was  received  under  the  small donations scheme for the tax year 2019/20 (2018/19: £1,826), of which £220 was recognised as claimable in 2019, and a further £137 has been recognised as claimable in 2020. £10,574 was in relation to unrestricted funds (2019: £11,139) and £431 restricted (2019: £387). 

25 



**THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2020 (continued)** 

## **5.  Grants** 

||||
|---|---|---|
|**Grants**|**2020**<br>**2019**||
||£|£|
|Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (unrestricted)<br>The Sawbridgeworth Ecclesiastical Charity:<br>**-**<br>Church insurance|3,155<br>3,052|-<br>2,729|
|**_-_**<br>Church costs<br>Friends of Great St Mary’s<br>|7,077<br>10,890|533<br>-|
|Archbishop’s Council (Church Care & The Radclif Trust)|5,000|500|
|Hertfordshire County Council (sanitiser etc)|750|-|
|DCMS Scheme (VAT claim)|4,232|248|
|Ecclesiastical Insurance (claim for weathervane)|2,030||
|The Commonwealth War Graves Commission|28|28|
||36,214|4,038|



£33,059 was in relation to restricted funds (2019: £4,038) and £3,155 unrestricted (2019 nil). 

## **6.  Legacies** 

An unrestricted legacy of £2,000 was received in 2020 from the estate of Joy Burles (2019: no legacies received). 

## **7.  Fees - weddings and funerals (unrestricted)** 

Fees receivable exclude amounts due to the clergy which, in accordance with normal church accounting practice, are not included. The fees shown comprise amounts  earned  by  the  PCC  and  amounts  payable  to  the  Diocese  and  to assistants for their participation at weddings and funerals (see also note 13). 

## **8.  Property lettings (unrestricted)** 

|**8.  Property lettings (unrestricted)**<br>Church House<br>Parish Hall<br>Car park<br>**9.  Investment income (unrestricted)**|**2020**<br>**2019**||
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
||3,579<br>3,452|12,97<br>7<br>9,767|
||9,475|8,370|
||16,506|31,11<br>4|
||**2020**<br>**2019**||
||£|£|



26 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

|Interest on CCLA Deposit Fund<br>Dividends on CCLA Fixed Interest Fund investment<br>Dividends on CCLA Investment Fund investment<br>**10.  Mission & charitable giving**<br>**Mission grants to organisations – unrestricted**<br>India Touch Trust (Shiksha Rath) –_overseas mission giving_<br>CMS – South Sudan Diocese –_overseas mission giving_<br>Bishop’s Stortford Night Shelter –_UK mission giving_<br>World Vision<br>Fraternity of St Albans<br>Historic Churches Trust<br>**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the**<br>**December 2020 (continued)**<br>**Distribution of collections for specifc causes –**<br>**restricted**<br>Women’s World Day of Prayer<br>Train-a-Priest Fund (Lent lunches and Induction Service in<br>2020)<br>Scouts and Guides (St George’s Day)<br>Christian Aid (“Big Breakfast”)<br>The Sawbridgeworth Mayor’s Appeal (Civic Service)<br>The Bishop of St Alban’s Harvest Appeal<br>The Royal British Legion (Poppy Appeal)<br>The Childrens’ Society (Christingle)<br>Crisis UK (Christmas collections)<br>Church Urban Fund (Pancake party)<br>Friends of Great St Mary’s (funeral service)<br>CMS (funeral service)<br>Red Cross (Bahamas Appeal)<br>**11.  Ministry (unrestricted)**<br>Diocesan parish share<br>Clergy expenses<br>Outreach|27|116|
|---|---|---|
||6,387|8,249|
||21,941|21,47<br>7|
||28,355|29,84<br>2|
||**2020**<br>**2019**||
||£|£|
||1,179|2,393|
||1,179<br>1,572|1,595|
||300|300|
||25|70|
||25|25|
||4,280|4,383|
||**year ended 31**||
||**2020**<br>£<br>239<br>345|**2019**<br>£<br>161<br>329|
||-|191|
||-|1,931|
||-|270|
||534|838|
||-|357|
||291|288|
||1,104|1,112|
||-|64|
||-|244|
||-|238|
||-|371|
||||
||2,513|6,394|
||**2020**<br>**2019**||
||£|£|
||70,333|68,66<br>0|
||1,360|1,540|
||207|686|
||71,900|70,88<br>6|



27 



**THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

The Vicar and non-stipendiary priest are reimbursed for expenses incurred on PCC business. 

## **12.  Regular church services (unrestricted)** 

|**12.  Regular church services (unrestricted)**<br>**2020**<br>**2019**<br>£<br>Organists<br>4,546<br>Other costs<br>1,295<br>5,841<br>**13.  Fees paid – weddings and funerals (unrestricted)**<br>**2020**<br>**2019**<br>£<br>Diocesan fees<br>4,097<br>Fees paid to service assistants<br>1,613<br>Honoraria<br>-<br>5,710|**2020**<br>**2019**||
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
||4,546|7,594|
||1,295|2,364|
||5,841|9,958|
||||
||£|£|
||4,097|4,716|
||1,613|4,219|
||-|180|
||5,710|9,115|



The PCC retains the difference between the total of fees received and the total of fees paid. 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2020 (continued)** 

## **14.  Properties – maintenance, repair and utilities** 

||||
|---|---|---|
|**.  Properties – maintenance, repair and utilities**|**2020**<br>**2019**||
||£|£|
|Church|32,596|5,174|
|Churchyard|3,830|2,728|
|Church House|3,186|3,756|
|Parish Hall|1,036|7,416|
|The Lodge|276|110|
|Car park|-|27|
|Utilities|12,270|11,932|
|Insurances|7,336|6,024|
||60,530|37,167|



£37,465  was  in  relation  to  restricted  funds  (2019:  £12,598)  and  £23,065 unrestricted (2019: £24,569). The restricted costs comprised £30,822 (2019: £3,520) for the church, £2,518 (2019: £278) for the churchyard, £974 (2019: £490) for Church House, £99 (2019: £5,589) for the Parish Hall, nil (2019: nil) for the car park and £3,052 (2019: £2,729) for church insurances. 

28 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

## **15.  Administration (unrestricted)** 

||||
|---|---|---|
|**.  Administration (unrestricted)**|**2020**<br>**2019**||
||£|£|
|Staf costs|8,196|14,72<br>2|
|Bookkeeping|1,675|2,256|
|Committee expenses|-|51|
|Telephone|678|594|
|Equipment|1,224|2,640|
|Printing<br>|351|940|
|Ofce Supplies|465|1,982|
||12,589|23,18<br>5|



The figure for staff costs in 2020 comprises salaries and wages of £7,849 (2019: £14,098), payroll administration costs of £315 (2019: £454) and staff training costs of £32 (2019: £170). The figure for salaries and wages in 2020 included pension costs of £318 (2019: £417). £3,155 was received towards salaries and wages from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (2019: nil) – see note 5. 

The average number of employees during the year was one in both 2020 and 2019. The PCC considers its key management personnel to comprise the Vicar, Churchwardens and appointed officials (see page 12). No employees received over £60,000 remuneration during the year (2019: nil). No PCC members or other officers were remunerated for their role (2019: nil). 

## **16.  Other expenditure (unrestricted)** 

The figure for other expenditure in 2020 of £1,290 included: gifts totalling £537 (2019: £931), net bank charges of £121 (2019: £262) and recruitment costs of £116 (2019: £1,102). (The figure for 2019 also included £854 for an independent IT review and £634 for Revd Frances Arnold’s leaving event.) 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2020 (continued)** 

## **17. Tangible fixed assets (unrestricted)** 

|**. Tangible fxed assets (unrestricted)**||||
|---|---|---|---|
||Freehold|Fixture|Total|
||land &|s||
||buildings|&||
|||fttings||
||£|£|£|
|Valuation / Cost –_beginning and end of_|490,000|7,899|497,89|
|_year_|||9|



29 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

|**Registered Charity**|**1132562**|||
|---|---|---|---|
|Depreciation –_beginning and end of year_|-|(7,899<br>)|(7,899)|
|Net book value -_beginning and end of year_|490,000|-|490,00<br>0|



The amount of freehold land and buildings comprises valuations of St Mary’s Lodge £335,000, the Parish Hall £45,000 and Church House £110,000, provided by local estate agent Wright & Co in November 2010 and reflecting current usage. Fixtures and fittings comprise the sound system 

## **18.  Investments (unrestricted)** 

||||
|---|---|---|
|**.  Investments (unrestricted)**|**2020**<br>**2019**||
||£|£|
|Market value at beginning of year|928,77<br>8|822,7<br>20|
|Additions/(withdrawals) at cost|(30,000<br>)|(15,0<br>00)|
|Gain/(loss) on revaluation|56,517|121,0<br>58|
|Market value at end of year|955,29<br>5|928,7<br>78|
||||
|_The portfolio consists of investments in:_|||
|CCLA Fixed Interest Fund|190,60<br>1|189,9<br>33|
|CCLA Investment Fund|764,69<br>4|738,8<br>45|
||955,29<br>5|928,7<br>78|
|**.  Debtors**(receivable within one year)|**2020**<br>**2019**||
||£|£|
|Tax recoverable (of which £431 restricted (2019: 387) –<br>see note 4)|9,624|9,999|
|Hire fees due (unrestricted)|174|484|
|Undertakers (unrestricted)|-|324|
|Diocese (Vicarage maintenance costs) (unrestricted)|113|-|
||**9,911**|**10,80**<br>**7**|



## **19.  Debtors** (receivable within one year) 

## **20.  Short term deposits (unrestricted)** 

These cash deposits are held with The Central Board of Finance Church of England Deposit Fund, which is managed by CCLA. 

## **21.  Creditors** (payable within one year) 

**2020 2019** £ £ 

30 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

|**Registered Charity 1132562**|||
|---|---|---|
|Wedding deposits (unrestricted)<br>|100|100|
|Distributions of collections to specifc causes (restricted)|1,395|2,019|
|Diocesan fees (unrestricted)|1,200|674|
|Clergy expenses (unrestricted)|529|-|
|Independent examination fee (unrestricted)|1,620|1,560|
||4,844|4,353|



## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2020 (continued)** 

## **22.  Funds** 

||Balance<br>s<br>end-<br>2019<br>£|Income<br>in 2020<br>£|Expendit<br>ure in<br>2020<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>(125,441)<br>(125,441)<br>(2,513)<br>(37,465)<br>(39,978)<br>(165,419)|Fund<br>transfe<br>rs<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|Balanc<br>es<br>end-<br>2020<br>£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|_Unrestricted_||||||
|Property capital|490,000|-|||490,00<br>0|
|Legacy capital|540,617|2,000|||542,61<br>7|
|General|402,780|165,058|||442,39<br>7|
||1,433,3<br>97|167,058|||1,475,<br>014|
|_Restricted_<br>||||||
|Monies for specifc<br>causes<br>Specifc grants &<br>fundraising|470<br>13,105|2,529<br>33,167|||486<br>8,807|
||13,575|35,696|||9,293|
|||||||
|**Total**|1,446,9<br>72|202,754|||1,484,<br>307|



For  an  explanation  of  restricted  funds,  see  page  16.  For  restricted  funds comprising monies for specific causes, see notes 3 and 10, which included some creditors (see note 20) and £431 in reclaimable tax (2019: £387). The end-year balance comprises £470 of fundraising for the 2021 “Big Breakfast” event for Christian Aid (2019: £470) and £16 for other charities (2019: nil). See notes 5 and 14 for restricted grants and restricted expenditure. In addition, there was restricted fundraising of £108 (2019: £1,398). 

## _**Prior year funds**_ 

||Balance|Income|Expendit|Fund|Balanc|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||s|in 2019|ure in|transfe|es|
||end-||2019|rs|end-|
||2018||£|£|2019|




31 



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562** 

||£||-<br>-<br>(156,563)<br>(156,563)<br>(6,394)<br>(12,598)<br>(18,992)<br>(175,305)|-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|_Unrestricted_||||||
|Property capital|490,000|-|||490,00<br>0|
|Legacy capital|540,617|-|||540,61<br>7|
|General|297,052|262,041|||402,78<br>0|
||1,327,6<br>69|262,041|||1,433,<br>397|
|_Restricted_<br>||||||
|Monies for specifc<br>causes<br>Specifc grants &<br>fundraising|-<br>19,967|6,864<br>5,736|||470<br>13,105|
||19,967|12,600|||13,575|
|||||||
|**Total**|1,347,6<br>36|274,641|||1,446,<br>972|



## **23. Payments to PCC members and connected persons** 

PCC members were reimbursed £2,463 (2019: £2,255) for purchases on behalf of the PCC, including restricted costs of £765 (2019: nil), and paid £300 (2019: £600) for verger services (unrestricted in both years). No other payments to PCC members and connected persons were made (2019: nil). 

32 

