Great St Mary's Sawbridgeworth THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562 Report and Financial Statements Year ended 31 December 2025
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Reyist•r•d Charity 1132562 Annual Report...................................-..................-......-.-......-.... Introduction . Aim and purpos•..................--.-........--- Our chur<h ¢ommunlty.........................__-...---..-. Saleguarding....................................... Fabric e4 Churchyard Committee.........-...__..__........................................................................ Heolth andSofyty....................................................... Events.. Outreach Committee.... .. Events.. od Ik7C.........................-...-.......................................... .. Re-imagining Gioup..................................... Parlsh adlvitles.--...-.-.--..-..-..- Children and Young People. Spellbrook Church of England Sehool.._.... Mothers, Unron.....-...-...,.....-......-........-..................__................................................................................................... .3-12 Belli1elS......-...--.-...---.........-.-...-...............__..-.............__..........___............. Volunteers........................................... Fulure plans......................................--.....-.-........--.....-.--.....-...-..-..............- Financlal mattws..................-...-...----......-........... Mission and giving. Fundiaising. Financial Review................... Going Concem.. Reserves policy............................................................................. Struclure• governance and manag•m•nt.--.-. .10 .10 .10 .10 The PCC'S responsibilities............................................... Stsndin9 Cornmittee.... Stewardship & Finance Comrnitteè_..........__..... Risk Management......................... Data Protection... Administrative Informatlon.....-...-.......- -12 Independent Examiner'$ Report........................-.............. .. Stat•m•nt of Financial Artivitios......................-.-.................-....... . 13 14 Balan¢0 Sheet...................-....... - 15 Notes to the Flnancial Ststements...........................................................................- 16
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Regi51ered Ch•rlty 1132562 Annual Report for 2025 Introdurtion It gives me great pleasure to introduce the annual report for 2025.1 anived in postjust over halfvJay through the year, joinit)g a busy church with many dedicated volunteers and, of course, a slightly le55 newly anived colleague in the Revd Canon Robert Riley-Braley. We're both grateful to everyone who provided cover during the vacancy. and to all church members who worked hard to keep the church going during what is always a diffiajlt season. It has been a joy to be9in to get to know ihe congregation and the wider community, bui l am very aware that even as a(e5 begin to feel familiar, my few months here are a mere blink of an eye compared to the lives of people whose farThlies have been here for decades. There is always more to learn about a parish. Highlights of the year have induded our visit5 from SpdlbTook School, with Revd Robert leading the leavers. seryice on the day of my installation. I've also shared in Nativity plays al Spellbrook and Tiny Tots, and our owi)-scratch nativity, in church. I was $0 5mpressed. too, with the transfomiation of ihe church for the Festival of Light when our town Christmas lights were switched on. It has been good to add a second 8 o'clock Sunday seNice to the calendar, reintroducing provision once a month from the Book of Corn Prnyer. Great St Mary's has big plans for the future of its estate, and the work of the Re- imagining Group has continued. Sarah Vickers stood down in the aututrn as chair of the Group. We thank her for the work leading the re-imagining proiert over the past few years as we move to thinking ab(KJt concrete steps for action. My arrival and subsequent questioning have Slowed the process a little, but l am keen that we see progress next year and the report from the Grrnjp below is encouraging. The tjsual fabric repairs and problems have been faithfully addressed over the course of the year by Peter Clark and ihe Fabric & Churchyard committee. We saw ihe handover of churchyard maintenance to East Herts Distri¢t Council.. this has not been without difficulty and our ¢)wn churchyard working partie5 have been necessary. You will see reports from many other parts of life here- we are fortunate to have many active volunteers who contribute to the life of Great St Mary's. As well as the committee chairs 3nd PCC members listed in this report there are faithful people carrying out the small. behind-the-scenes jobs that make a difference you are 311 appreciated and you all have my thanks. I do want to record grateful thanks to Anthony Heard and Gilly Squire. ourchurchwardens fortheir support to Robert and me a5 their new clergy. Yours in Christ Revd Sara Aim and purpose The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Sawbridgeworth rthe PCCI is registered as charity, number 1132562. The members of thè PCC have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. The primary objèct 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 co4)perating with the Incltmbent in promoting in the e(clesi3stical parish the whole mission of the church - pastoral, evangelistic, soual and ecurnenical. It fulfils this responsibility through periodic meetings and a range of other activities.
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registsr¢d Charlty 1132562 Our chur¢h Community In May 2025 the Revd Canon Robert Riley-Braley was licensed as associate minister. He was joined by the Revd Dr Sara Batts-Neale, our new Incumbent, who was licensed in July. At the beginning of Advent 2025, our Lay Reader, Diana Kitson announced thai she would be retiring in early 2026- more on this in next yearfs repo As at the end of 2025. there were 87 people entered on ihe church Electoral Roll. 13 of whom were not resident within the parish. We were pleased to welcome new regular WOT5hippers and visitors. We hold in our prayers those who no Iger worship with us regularly or who moved away during 2025. During 2025 we baptlsed four children and one adult and married couples. We wish themjoy and love on life's journey. We conducted 12 funerals and e¢ght interments. Our dear friends are remembered with Iiwe, and we keep their families in our prayers. This beauliful kneeler was made and presented at our Harvest service by Hazd Mead, celebrating 31X) years of the Rivers Nursey. PCC and church members WO in three key subcommittees Outreach. Fabric & Churchyard, and Stewardship & Finance. Thr work is recorded below and on page 11. Saf•guarding The PCC complied wth its duty to have due regard to guidance issued by the House of Bishops on matters relating to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults (section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 20161. There were no serious incidents during 2025. Safeguarding is now a regular, separate item on the PCC agenda. We are meeting all our obligation5 re DBS che(k5 and safeguarding training, including the new requirement from January 2025 for all bellringers to complete basic training. One-to-one and small group training has been facilitated for those unable to take online courses at home. which has enabled discussion about issues raised. We have overhauled our safer recruitrnent procedures and rewewed all our safeguarding documentation. As part of our endeavours to embed a culture of safeguarding we intend to share the Volunteer Code of Conduct and Responding to Safeguarding Concem or Allegation with a much wder group of volunteers than previously. Fabr1¢ & Churchyard Committ•• Chair Peter Clork This Committee, in collaboration with the Vicar and Churthwardens, has oversight of the maintenance. repair and improvement of the church building. St Mary's Lodge, the Parish Hall, Church House, and outbuildings. It held three full meeting5 during the year, wtth all urgent matters dealt with wa emails. 2025 saw the transition ol churchyard rna1ntenan from the PCC and this Committee to East Herts District Council IEHDQ. Understandable teething troubles have been encountered and addressed by the Churchwardens, and go¢)d wothing relationships wrth EHDC have developed. By the end of 2025 the remaining issues were largely the timeliness of wod¢ and how to address litter and bin management. The Churchyard Working Party still meets to complement work o( the EHDC. A young Robinia tree was planted in May 2025 in memory of joanna I"Jo") Pigram. The church building remains in a good state of repair but there is outstanding woth left over from the Quinquennial Report still awaited. This is due to a backlog of work built up by Lodge & Sons due io shortage of skilled heritage builders and the illness and sad death of their manager who was in charge of work here. The work involves lime mortar, 59 wll now be ¢Jone in the warmer months of 2026. The Friends of Great St MaS arranged for conseNation of the large Viscount George Hewyt monument in the chancel. Skillington Wothshop a¢hieved very fine results. The work was entirely funded by The Friends.
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Reglstered Charity 1132562 chUh CareThhe Pilgrim Trust and the tssted Places of Worship Grant stheme for reclaiming VAT. The Friends proposed Similar conservation for the William and Elizabeth Hewyt Monument above the lertem. A faculty was obtained from the Diocesan Advisory Council IDACI and work took place in January 2026. A complication now affects all faculty applications, including the Re-imagining project I ' (see page 61. Bats have re-appeared in the church. and we have a legal obligation to state what steps we are taking to protect them. A suNey has been booked for 2026. The gale-broken flagpole was repaired. Ecclesiastical Insurance paid for the temporary repair and for replacing the flagpole in 2026. In the autumn, rain leaked from the nave roof to near the organ consde below. Lodges identified cracking in a fold under the overlapping lead roofing panels, which will need to wait for warmer weather to tackle. Routine maintenante has continued and included replacement of falled lights in some of the highest parts of the church and the restoration of spire lighting with LEDS. There were also repairs to the OTgan15ee page 8). The thurch noiiceboard was wY)od-treated and updated, and unveiled during our new Incumbent's welcome. A fimi, which had won by the compeiilive tender, seNiced the car park bollards. The six-monthly service in October 2025 diagnosed problems which they claimed required both bollards and the controller to be replaced, at great cost. An alternative firm was identified in early 2026 and Pair work is b&ng undertaken at a much lower cost. A new security camera system was installed in line with Deanery recommendation. to provide some level of protertion for staff lone working in the Parish Office Isee below). The Parish Hall had a seriou5 macerator failu which was expensive to fix, and we had to -loCate regular bookings to Church House and cancel others. We will consider back-up options so that the hall can remain open at all times. St MaS Lodge is now octVTyed by the Associate Minister. A gale blew down a substantial tree branch. which was efficiently cleared eady the next moming by a local tree stjrgeon. At the end of the year, planning permission was sought for further tree work in eady 2026. With special thonks to the dedicated teom of valunteers (n the Churchyord Workin9 Porty duAng the tnrnsltion to EHDC our church deaner5 and Iwr hord-vmrklng hall coretaker. Health andsofety This cover5 the physical environment and all church activities. Peter Clark continued as H&S Officer, with Firsi Aid Otficer Debbie Cubitt. There were no RIDDOR reportable incidents during the year. Two falls in church did not result in serious injuries but were carefully reviewed and steps taken to redu the likelihood of happening again. Risk Asses5ment5 were either updated or put in for new activities. These were a mix of generic templates. for sthools, 5eTvices for example, and specific assessments for one-off activitie5. Regular inspection5 of the church for slip and trip hazards took place and there are prOgraMn for gas, elertrical, fire extinguisher and lightning condurtor testing. A First Aid course was tailored for our parish volunteers, and the defibrillators and first aid boxes were regularly checked. Advice from the Deanery concerning lone working led to the instsllation of the video door enty system in Church House (see above). Even. Outreach Commltt Chair. Gilly Squire The Committee promotes the engagement of the Ihurch with the community through outreach at social event& In 2025. we focused on building upon established successes. This year we held a single, Frugal Lunch on Good Friday, offering a poignant time for communal refieuion. The May Day Fayre saw the retum of the Teddy Bear Zip Wire, which remains a fim) family favourite. and it's
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTh Registered Charity 1132562 not only teddy bears that take the plunge. We also introduced a Fictional Ghost Walk around town. which proved a popular and imaginative new fundraiser durin9 the summer months. To meet high demand. our Murder Mystery Night moved to a larger hall. proving to be a significarbt social highlight for the year. We maintained our presence at the Festival of Ltghts and hosted a successful third Christmas Tree Festival. Refreshments were also provided followirbg the All Souls and Christmas Carol seNices. Running from Advent 2025 to Ash Wednesday 2026, the spire was illltminated as a quiet witness to the town. Lights werè sponsored in memory of loved ones or for celebrations, with proceeds pul toward a new church flag. Looking ahead, we hope to embrace several new initiatives for 2026. Event ad hoc Other events in 2025 induded a Remembrance themed evening of music, and a war graves tour. A concert featuring an accordion duo from Kyiv raised money for a charity supporting those affected by the war in Ukraine. And local choir. The Harmonaires perfomied and raised money for Isobel Howce. R•-imaginlng Group Co-chuws.. St7rah Vickers (until 22 Ortober 2025) and Nick Heslop The Re-ImaginiT)g Group met nine times during 2025 and continued to wot hard behind the scenes to clear the necessary hurdle5 for Phase 1 of work in the Church - ¢)pening the West Door. The arrival of our new Incumbent slowed progress a little as Revd Sara got up to speed with the project and its work to date. However. by the end of 2025 progress had been made in several areas, including, Our architec( Jeremy Lander, has been f0MllY contracted and has completed the specific plans for the West Door opening. We have engaged an Archaeologist and a Quantity SuNeyor both have visited the site. and we are currently awaiting their formal reports. A heating engineer has provided initial recommendations. To ensure a sustainable future, we are currently conducting a long-term temperature and humidity stjrvey using discrete monitors placed throughout the chuich building. The presence of bais was confimied by a report from Natural England, and full suNey5 b*ill be carried out in May and June 2026. 'Clutterf in the west lobby and first floor storage room was removed. The extensive paperwork needed to support a DAC application were drafted and compiled. Thanks to successfvl grant applications, all expert Potts and fees paid to date for church re-imagining work have been fully covered by extemol fLJnding. This means that up to the end of 2025. this vital preparatory work cost the PCC nothing. Work also continued on plans for works to Churth House to create flat access into and around the building. and to refurbish the top floor flat and first floor to create a two-bedroom dwelling, which can be nted as a source of income. li is expected that planning pemission will be submitted in 202& There is still considerable wort to do on both streams of the projert. Sarah Vickers, who had chaired the project from its inception, stood down irb the autumn of 2025 and as yet no pemianent thair has been idèntified. Parish activities Chiltknn and Young People Tiny Tots continued to meet in the Parish Hall. Sessions run weewy during term time on a Tuesday moming. Between 10-15 children wth carers, parents and grandparents attend. The group is supported where
THE PAROCHIALCHURCH COUNCILOFTHE ECXLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity l 132562 possible by Mothers, Union members, who offer refreshments. Two new volunteers joined in 2025 to hetp continue Kathy Steward's work The year ended with a nativity play and Christmas paty. Sunday Club for younger children met most weeks during 2025. Se55ion5 took place in the church, Church House or thè churchyard. depending on the activities and the weather. Attendance ranged from one to 12 young persons aged between two and 13 years old. Threè leaders, Gilly Squire. Becky Burton and Emily Groom take it in tums to Prepa and lead each week. Highlights of the year induded sailing boats in paddling pools. pancake races and air-dry silk clay craft activities. Remembrance & St Georye s Day Pordde sepvltes.. Sawbridgeworth's uniformed groups were welcomed into church for two major event5 in 2025. The St George's Day parade setvice saw almost a hundred under 16s presenL Young people were also very much in evidence for the Remembrance Dty semce in November. Sch¢1 servl¢e&. At Christmas. carol services for all local Primary schools took place. Fawbert & Bamard, Reedings and Mandeville broughi songs and readings to sha the story ol the natiMty- as did Spellbrool our CofE school. Spellbrook Chyr¢h of England School Spellbrook School is our voluntary-controlled Church of England primary school. It 15 legally owned by the trustee5 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 pmvide the best education for eèch child within the context of a caring Christian community. Bec Burton was appointed as foundation govemor in March 2025. The Vicar is ex-officio foundation governor and took up her role in the autumn. Mr Fisher left as he3dteacher in Jvly. and Mrs Cousins joined the school in September. The Vicar and Associate Minister lead collective worship each week in sthool. The whole school attended church four times during the course of the year- at Easter, the end of the summer term, Harvest and Christmas. It continues to be a joy to welcome the school to their church. Mothers. Unlon Branch Leoder Debbie Dear OUT branch met on a third Tuesday of each month. During 2025 we had a variety of guest speakers. In January we were honoured to welcome The Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshl. For our April meeting we had a speaker from Grove Cottage. a voluntary organisation which provides social and edutational acrivities for people of all ages and learning disabilities and sperial needs. In May we had two speakers from the Land Sheriffs who gave a very enlightening presentation on their individual roles in providing a service which helps to keep our railways safe for travellers. In July the CEO of the Hadow Foodbank gave a very Interesting and insightful talk on the wonderful work of this charity- And in SeptembeT we welcomed an MU Speaker who talked about the unusual things that are In the MU archives. We held an aftemoon tea in June for our'summer Fund Raiserf evenl Whe we raised £240 for the MU Summer of Hope Appeal, one of the Mothers, Union w0de Projects. In 2025 we put together 21 toiletry bags from items donated by memL*rs for the Geriathc ward at Princes Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, and one of our members knitted blankets for the Neonatal ward. We ended the year with an Advent service followed by seasonal refreshments in Church House, a lovely end to blessed oc¢asion enjoyed by all. Music Organt and Dwector of Music.'Jonothan Polman In January 2025, 1 was delighted to join as Director of Music Our dedicated church choir continued to provide music at 9.30avn Sunday Eucharists, a full Holy Week, St George's Day. the Civic SeNice and Remembrance Sunday. We also had our annual Adveni and Christmas Carol Services, both with augmented
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH CQUNCIL OFTHE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Reglstered Charity 1132562 choirs and well attended by the Sawbridgeworth corrimunity. Very few parish churches maintain a tradition of both an Advent and Christmas carol service, much less with the ealibre and variety of repertoire provided at Great St Mary's. so I give my most sincere thanks and appiecialion to the choiT- preparing for major services so close togèther is no easy task. In èddition, we had Revd Robert's licensing and Revd Sara's installation services. The organ deteriorated further during the year. the splits to the Swell soundboard and subsequent running worsening significantly. Approval was obtained and AndW Stevens was commissioned to do a significant repairlpartial rebuild in November, which was successfully completed in time for Remembrance Sunday. Also. the church baby grand piano was tuned and repaired. Unusually for church pianos, ours stsbly maintains concert pitch and is of a high quality, making it an asset to church seN15 and groups from the wider community who use Great St Mary's as a rehearsal or concert venue. We s extremely fortunate to have a small but very committed and experienced choir, rneaning that for most Sundays we are able to field four parts and provide a wide range of anthems. As ever, our biggest challenge is that of number5 - new members are alway5 very much welcomel I would like to thank our dedicated choir rneMbe and very appreciative congregation; everybody has made my first year at Greai St Ma$ incredibly enjoyable and rewarding. B•llTing•rs Bell Tower Captain.. Fred Bone The bellringers rang for moming setwice on every Sunday but one, with attendance ranging Irom three to nine. Bells were also run9 for Ash Wednesday. Maundy Thursday, Ascension. the kncen5ing of Revd Robert and thè IndLJCtion of Revd Sara as Wicar. In addition, bells were rung for the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day and one wedding. Four quarter peals were rung.. for the May F3yre. Licensing, Induction and Harvest Festival. Practice nights have generally been well attended and busy. Wlth up to 15 present. One new rUit and one experienced ringer have joined, and we have sever81 regular visitors whose help is invaluable and muth appreciated. On Monday 24 February, practice night was attended by a group of Ukrainian& The practice included 2 touch of 156 call changes, commemorating 3 years1156 weeks) since the invasion of Ukraine. Voluntmrs Gat St MaS run5 on the faithful service of volunteers across many differer)t areas, notjust the PCC The work and dedication of all volvnteers is to be commended. There are volunteers who are on the coffee rota. or cleaners. part of the Churchyard Working Party, Ilower arrangers, sacristans, readers, intercessors. welcomers, Sunday Club leaders, and choir members. Many people have more tharb one role from this list. There is capacity for additional volunteer help in all areas of church life. As congregation members, ability to commit to continuing duties wanes, activities may be scaled back or curtailed- this could have an effert not jLSSt on the social or liturgical life ol the congregation but on our ability to impact the wider Sawbridgeworth commijnity. Future plans Revd Sara will continue to consider ways in which we can extend the mission of Great St Mary's. building on exisiÉng activities, introducing new ones and widening our reach within the wider community. We have re- introduced monthly services on late Sunday aftemoon and have an interesting of full choral evensongs and songs of praise 5ervice5 planned for 2026, and we will run Lent and Advent courses. The Re-imagining Group will continue it5 work, and will submit the formal applications for Church Phase I and Church House. Skillingtons Consetvators have already assessed the font to confim that it can be safely moved, and the findings of the archaeologisL quantity surveyor. heating engineer. and bats surveys will be considered. When reliable estimates of the actual construction costs for the two projerts have been
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Reglstered Charlty 1132562 obtained. a robust funding strategy will be developed. Thi5 will involve a Combinati( of grant applications. community fundraising. donations and other streams of financial support. Financial matters Missl¢>n and givin9 It is PCC policy to give a percentsge of regular committed stewardship Iplus tax recoverable) to other charitable cause& of which 60% is allocated to overseas cause5 and 411% to U.L causes. Details of the amounts given in 2025 from 7.5% of 2024 stewardship income are detailed in note 10 to the financial statements. Charilies supported in this way were Shiksha Rath. Friends of the Holy Land. Holy Trinity Night Shelter, Grove Cottage, and Red Kitè Rape and Sexual Abuse Support SeNice. In addition. whenever possible throughout the year. the PCC made collect%ons and undertook fundraising for speafic causs Detai15 of payments made are also detailed in note 10. In February 2026. the PCC reviewed its Mission Giving Policy and agreed that mi55ion giving in 2027 will be l 0% of 2026 planned giving plus tax recoverable. Fwdralsing Section 162a of the Charities Act 2011 requires charities to make a statement regarding fundraising a(tivitie We confimi that all soliciiations are managed internally, without involvemenl of commercial participators, professional fundraisers or third parties. The day-to-day management of all income generation is delegated to the Vicar, Churchwardèns and appointed officials (see page 12). Although the Charity is not require(I to be bound by any regulatory scheme, the Charity compfies with the relevant codes of practice. We have received no complaints in relation to fundraising activities12024'. none). Addttlonal Ilnancttti support Was received. wlth thonk4 from StTwbridgeivorth Erd¢s¢astlcal clrIty. The Fr(ends of Greot st Plory's ond othe1& Flnan¢ial Revlew In 2025, expenditure on the estate increased by over £20,DCKI, but this was more than covered by significant increase in grants received. There was a decrease across the board in regular income- notably, a fall of over £20,0 in hall hire income- and increases In some regular costs. The net decrease was partly offset by the receipt of over £15,000 in legacies and bequests. The overall net impact was o loss of £52.317 on doy-to-day Income ond expenditure (excluding investment in¢omel but o net of £2.682 to the restricted fund. At the end of the year. due to ongoing uncertainty in the global financial markets, our investments with CCLA decreased in value by £25,672, and £20,000 was redeemed in December to meet expected invoices on estate works_ Invèstmènt income was £25.274, up slightly on the previous year. Overall, therefore. there was a net decrease in our total fvntts of £50.033. The investrnent poliry is considered at regular intervals by the Stewardship & Finance Committee ISFQ and the PCC. Both investment funds are actively managed, allowing CCLA to anticipate or respond to market developments. In November 2025. the PCC agreed to retain its investments with CCLA but to rebalance the equities to bonds ratio thin the portfolio. It delegated the process of rebalancing to SFC (see page 11). Go•ng Conc•m Looking foNard to 2026, it is possible ihat Re-imagining woject wots might begin later in the year (see page 61, but planning perrnis5ions are awaited and costs are not yet fully known. We have changed to more cost-efficient energy providers we are considering how we might improve our regular stewardship and other income sources, and we intend to increase èxpenditure on ftission lin addition to our annual mis&on giving to other charities). We predict a defic(t of about £50.000, excluding any capital gain or loss on our investments, and exduding re-imajining costs and 9rants/donations.
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charity 1132562 The PCC believes it is financially viable lor the next 12 months, even wilh the ongoing deficit of income to expenditure. The general unrestrirted reseryes balance remain5 above the appropriaie level of reserves and is sufficient for activities to be maintained for 12 month& Res•nr*s poll¢y The accounting rules under which the financial statements arè prepared require funds to be analysed betryeen those thaL on the one hand, are restricted to specific putposes and those that. on the other hand, are unrestricted. Restricted funds comprisè special collections and other fundraising activity for specific causes, together with fundraising and grants for certain fabiic and insurance cosls. Unrostricted funds comprise all other funds, which may be designated for various purpose& The PCC has designated three unrestricted funds= a property capital fund, which at all times equals the balance sheet value of the propertie5 a legacy capital fund, being the 3ccumulats.on of legacies received a general fvnd containing the balance The PCC considers that the amount of reseNes necessary to ensure the work of the church continues at present levels is around £200,000 - approximatdy 12 months of recurring expenditure. exduding mission giving and payments to specific causes, and restoration of monLbments (which will be fully covered by grants}. As the unrestricted general fund stood at £295.082 on 31 December 2025 (see page 15- £362.824 at the end of 20241, thère was an excess of just over £95,000. which is held to finance working tapital and capital projects. Restricted lunds on 31 December 2025 stood at £15.56212024= £12,880). Structure. governance and management Th• PCC The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church RePSentatIon Rule& AJI church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. The PCC met seven times in 2025, all meetings were condutted in person, and average attendance was 79%. In addition to routine business (which included regular Safeguarding. Health & Safety, Estate and Financial reports). major items of business included= Appointing a new Incumbent and Associate Minister AgeIng recipients of mission giving from 2024 stewardship Agreeing faculty applications Receiving the Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2024 Ensuring the PCC'S commitmentto achieving net-zero caibon emissions by 2030 and to addressing wider environmental impacts was considered across 311 activities, on an ongoing basis Th• PCC'S responslbllltles The PCC is responsible for preparing the Annual Report and Financial Statements in accordante with applicable law and United Kingdom GenerallyAccepted Accounting Practice. The PCC is required to prepare rinancial statements tor each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the PCC and of the financial artivities of the PCC for that period. In preparing those financial ststements, the PCC members are required to- Select suitable ac¢ounting policies and apply them consistently Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 IFRS 102} Make judgements and estimates thal 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 Prepare the financial statements on the going-concern basis unless it Is inappropriate to presume that the PCC will continue in operation 10
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Regist¢red Charlty l 132562 The PCC is responsiL4e for keeping proper books and accounting records that disclose reasonable accura(y at any time the finarscial position of the PCC, and that enable it to ensure the financial statements comply with the Charilies Act 2011. It is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the PCC and, hence, for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detertion of fraud and other irregularities. The PCC members confirm that so far as they are aware, there is no relevant infom)ation of which the PCC'S independent examiners are unaware. They have taken all ihe steps that they ought to have taken as PCC rrembers to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the PCC'S independent exan)iners are aware of ihat information. Much of the PCC'S business is achieved by delegating rtain responsibilities to its committees. Their terms of reference were reviewed by the PCC in May 2025. The committees, work is outlined on pages 4-6 and below. Standln9 Committ In September 2025. the PCC reviewed the membership of the Stsnding Committee with reference to the Church Representation Rules. The Committee now comprises the Vicar, Churchwardens, Chair of the Fabri Churchyard Committee, TreaSUTer and Parish Safeguarding Offi'cer. It has the power to act on behalf of the PCC for i55ues that need urgent attention between PCC meetings and to approve new expenditu items in accordance with the PCC'S Finanoal Contiols Policy. The Committee did not meet in 2025, tyjt it agreed via email COeSpOndence to sign a contract with the architect for the Re-imagining projert. Stewardshlp & Financ• Committ•• Chaju11e Patterson This Committee has oversight of the PCC'S finances and stewardship activities. To fulfil this responsibility. tt mOnitS both inc¢Jming and outgoing resources, as well as monitoring the deployment of the net assets. including investment policy and performance. It provide5 advice and support to the Treasurer. who reports reguladyto the PCC on the finantial position, financial controls and all matters impacting the PCC'S finances. The Committee met five times via Zoorn in 2025. At each meeting, the Committee received a report from the Treasurèr on the PCC'S financial position. tt remewed the draft Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024, monitored actual income and expenditure against the 2025 f0C8st approved by the PCC in December 2024, considered whether and when è significant drawdown from investments was needed. and agreed to rebalance the PCC'S investment portfolio by making monthly swilches of £30,000 from the Investment Fund lequitiesl to the Fixed Interest Securities Fund. In November, it considered the provisional outtum for 2025 and a draft forecast (or 2026, which were presented to the PCC in December. The Committee also reviewed and made recommendations to the PCC on relevant PCC l£le5 and procedu% the due diligence undertaken on Charities of the Year nominatitS (for mission giving). and on discretimary fees and other rates to be applied in 2026. Risk nageMont The PCC retognises that in areas relating to health and safety, the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adulis. and the security o( physical and financial assets, IT systems and data protect*on. there is always a potential threat. We reviewed all our risk management and related policies during 2025. introduced a church hire policy and made further enhancements to our IT security. Data Prot•¢tlon The PCC complied wth the requirements of the General Datu Protection Regulation. We reviewed our Data Protection and Re¢ords Management Policy and the Data Privacy Notice on the church website.
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH R¢gi5tered Ch•rlty 1132562 Administrative information Add The PCC oversees the activities of Great St Mary's church, which is situated in Church StreeL Sawbridgeworth. It is part ol the Diocese of St Albans within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Parish Office, Church House, I Vantorts Road, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire CM219AH. Website." www.sawbrid hchurch.or .uk ewo Data privacy Contart the Parish Office. You can also contact the Infom)ation Cornmi55i0nerfs Office on 0303 123 1113orvia htt ico.or .uk loba contact-us In¢umbentr The Reverend Dr Sara Batts-Neale. The Vicarage, Sheering Mill Lane, SavA)ridgeworth, Hertfordshire CM219ND. from 22 July 2025. Mlnlsty team.. The Reverend Canon Robert Riley-Braley. Associate Prie5L from 21 May 2025, and Diana Kitson, Lay Reader. until l February 2026. Office staff.. Angela Kenny, Parish Administrator and PCC Secretsry. The members of the PCC who served from 1 January 2025 until the date this report was approved are.. Revd Dr Sara Batts-Neale Incumbert (Choir) from 22July 2025 Gilty Squire PCC Choir until 22July2025.' Churchworden Choir of O(rtread) Committee Valerie Bright Peter Clark Deborah Cubitt Anthony Heard Jane John50n Diana Kitson Kofi Otu Julie Patterson Health & Sofvty Officer, Choir of Ft7bric & Churchyord Comm(ttee FirstAid Officer Churchwurde Parish Saftguordin9 Officer Reader unt({ l Februory 2026, Deonery Synod Represertotive Treasurer, Chatr of Stewardshw & Finance Committee, Deanery Synod Repre5entotive.' D¢ocesrJn Syrnd Representative from 15 March 2026 Revd Canon Robert Riley-Braley Associate Priest from 21 May2025 Sarah Vickers Co-choirof Re-imo9tning 2025 Proiett Gmup until 22 Ortober2025 Among others that contribute considerable time and resources to the WO of Gat St Mas, there are officers who are not members of the PCC. Becky Burton Fay aark Nick Heslop Huw Lw4is 5pellbrook COE School Foundution Govemorfrom March 2025 Elerttsml Roll Officer Co-Ch(Jirof Re-uno9(ning 2025 Pmjert Group Stewardshw Recorder Ar¢hItÉ5UIVey0r Jeremy Lander. 77 North Street. 8urwell. Cambridgeshire C825 OBB Bankws.. TSB Bank PIG 88-89 High Street. Chelmsford, Essex CM21 1 DX and until 27 October 2023 Barclays Bank plc, 10 North Street, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 2LU IndePendertExomlne Price Bailey LLP, Causeway Hous¢ l Dane StreeL Bishop's Stortford. Hertfordshire CM23 3BT 21 4. 1026 Signed Rwd Dr Sara Batts-N•a Vicar of Great St Mary's. Sawbridgeworth 12
THE PAROCHIALCHURCH COUNCIL OFThE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTh Registered Charity 1132562 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 2025 which are set out on pages 14 to 23. ResponslbllStles and basis of T•POrt As the members of the PCC you are responsible ft)r the preparation of the account5 in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the PCC'S accounts carried out under section 145 of the Art and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. Ind•pénd•nt wAaminqr's Stat•m•nt I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examtnation giving me cause to believe that in any material spect. accountirsg records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Art or the accounts do not accord with those records., or the accounts do not CoMY with the aptdicable requirements ¢onceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities {Accounts and Reports) Regulations 21)08 other than any requirernent that the accounts give a 'true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connertion with the examination to which atter)tion should be dra¥Yn in thi5 report in order to enable a proper understat)ding of the accounts to be reached. Mlchael Coop•TrDavis FCCA ACA For ènd on behalf of Price Bailey LLP Causeway House l Dane Street Bishop's Stortford Hertfordshire CM23 3BT Datv. 24 April 2026 13
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OFTHE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRtDGEWORTh Registered Charity 1132562 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfiviTIES for the year ended 31 December 2025 Unrulricted ReIed Fun FuNI$ 2025 Total 2024 Total INCOME Note VolunlaryirK4¥ Planned giwng 0therdonth.ons Coliecons for other thb'es Tax wi¥edldaNned Grants Legacies 35,251 7,333 35,251 8,887 3,lTrJ6 11,076 51,211 15,027 124,458 39,703 11,340 4,850 13,043 Y2,783 2,912 94,631 1.554 3,006 1,187 51.211 9,889 15,027 67,5(X) 56.958 chu1he$ Fees- vding& & tun&aL8 Propertylthgs FuTrJr4r¥j & swns(1 Other 9,315 38,284 9,315 38,284 6.510 59 54.168 12,6C6 58,761 7,720 425 79,512 6,510 59 47,658 8.510 InvethntirK0rn8 25.274 25,274 24,405 Tot41in¢ome 140,432 203.900 198.548 EXPENDITURE Church a£vities Misgon & charitsNe giwr@ Ministy U1church services Fees paid-weddings & neralS Prop&lEs Fundraising (x)st5 Administralb)n Other 10 3,144 9,39) 72,052 9,717 7,161 71,452 2,381 21,464 4,821 198,438 73,5C6 12,632 4,971 38,114 73.5L 12,632 4,971 94,023 1,733 25,528 5,024 225,861 12 13 14 SS.909 1,733 15 16 25,528 5,024 165,075 60.786 Govemance Independent examnai1 fre 2,400 2,400 2,322 Total•xpondIrn 167.475 228,261 200,760 Net IncomIn[Out9oIllY1 re8ourco6 beforg oth¢r recognijed gain$ and l¢)9ges Dive5trnenl prfxeeds Net gainllb&%l on revaluknn ol invesbnts Fund transfers Net movem•nt In lund• Funds brought forwwd Fund8 carrled lorward 127,0431 2.682 1243611 12,212) 20,0110 145,6721 20,0 145,6721 30,000 18,2961 18 14822 152,7151 1398,353 2,682 150,0331 1411233 1,361,200 19,492 1391,741 1,411233 Th8 note5 on p*Je$ 16 to 23 kfm wt ofthe8efinanrial statements 14
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH RegIered Charity 1132562 BALANCE SHEEr at 31 December 2025 2025 2024 Note Fixed assets Tangible Investments 17 18 490,1)XI 819,398 1,309,398 490,000 865,070 1,355,070 Current assets Debtors Short temi deposits Cash al bank and in hand 19 20 11,(151 6,434 41,179 58,664 16,563 6.161 37.908 60,632 abilltlos Creditors payable wlhin one year 21 16,8621 14,4691 Net current assets 51,802 56.163 TOTAL NET ASSETS 1361,200 1,411,233 Funds Unrestrictad Property capital Legacy capital Gener 490.000 560,556 295,082 1,345,638 490,000 545,529 382.824 1,398,3 Restiided 15,562 12,880 1,361,200 1,411,233 Approved by the Parhla1 Church cour11 on 21 April 2026 and swJned C its tehalf by: Revd Dr Sara Batts.Neale- Vicar Anthony Heard- Churchwarden The not8s on pages 16 to 23 form part of these financial slatements 15
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIAsficAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTh Reglslered Charity l 132562 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS forthe year ended 31 Dec$mr 2025 1. Accountlng pollcles Basls of pr8paratlon The financial slal8menls have been prepared in A]rdanCe wth Acccmjnling and Rewrting by Charrties.. Statement of Recomrnended Pract applicable lo charitses pparing their accounts in accordan with the Financial Reporting Standard applicab in the UK and Republ of Ireland IFRS 1021 {effecb've1 January 20191- IChaitie5 SORP IFRS 10211, the Financial Reporting Slandaril applicable in IFE UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS1021, the Charities Act 2011 and the Church Accountin9 Regulations 2006. The PCC constitutes a public benefft entity as defined by FRS11Y2. The financial slalemenls have been ppare(l to give a'lnts and fairf IAew and have departed froffl the Charities (Accounts and Rew)rtsl Regulalt'ons 2008 only lo the extent required to prov(de a'true and fair view. This departure has involved fOloW1ng the A¢Gounting and RepNting by Charities.. Slatetnenl af Recorntnended Pract(ce applicable lo chanties preparing theirUnts in )rdan with th8 Financial Reporbng SlaThlard applicable in the UK and Republic Ireland issu&1 in October 2019. The financial statements have ken preparY underlhe historul cost nventIOn, except that proFerties are indud al valuation and investmènts are Iluded al market value. The financial statements indude al transactions, assets and liatslilies for which the Parochial Church CoutKil I'PCC'I is reskM)nsible in law. They do not ilUde the financial statements of churGh groups that owe their tnain affiliat to another b(HJy nor those that are nf0mla1 galheriTrJs of church merntrrs. Going ¢oncem The financial statements have t*en prepared on a going concern basis as Ihe PCC mernbers telÈve that no material uncertainties exist. The PCC members have consKlered the level of funds held and the expected level ol income and expeThJilure foK12 fflonlhs from autho(isir@ these financial statements. The budgeted income and experNJilure deficit is covered wth the supkK)rt ol wilhdrawng funds from the invesltrÉnts, as held within unrestricted general funds, and therefore enables the PCC lo continue as a going cOnM. A detailed wrnmenlary on its irnpact is detai in the Annual Report on page 9. Funds Unr8slrid8dd&gAgnated funds CEsignaled frjnds are unrestricted lunds sel aside al the diretIOn of the PCC for SFecific purp05e5. property c¥ilal fund is represented by the value of property held. The legY Gapilal fund is the aggregate of legacies received and is represented by assets hekj forfuture mai)rrApital projects. Unr8StfiCt8dgeneral funds Unreslricled luThJs are those funds vthKh can te used fot the ordinary purposes of thè PCC. Reslrided fvnds Rèstricted funds arise where lleCtiOnS are made orfundrasffig undertaken for sre(ific causes, ¥there incorne Is subject lo 5fic o)ndittrJns imposed by dontjrs or granl-rnakSng organlsatSons. In¢omlng resources stewerdshlp, swvice Gollecfrons and donations Amounts are rOgnIsed when received.. * whh kX)inl iOrne tsx reL>)verable is accounted for. Cther volunlaryincome Grants and legac$ arè reU)gnIs once the PCC has entitthenl to the income, il 15 probable that thB income byill be reiVed and the amount of illcne le1vable can te Measur relpabty. Church lee5 Weddiig and funèrdl feès ar8 recognised en the event ocLuts. Property letting9 Renlal incorne from lettSng of premises is rwni5&J when d. 16
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH R•glSt•rd Charlty 1132562 MOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 DKembgr 20251¢ontlnued} Inveslmenl income, fvndraising and sponSoh1P Income is recognised when received. Gifts In kind Assets donated to the PGC are inGluded in the financial TrdS at valuation at the dale ol grfl. Resources exponded AJnounls are rwnised when payab and include iNeC0verab VAT. Al costs have been dlreclly althalgj lo the rdevant activity and lund. Tangible Ilxedusets Consecrated land andbuilding8 8ndmoveable church fvmishings Consecrated and benere proFerty is exeluded from the financial statements under Ihe Charilies Act 2011. No value is placed on moveaNe church furnishings Ihal require a faculty ftrr t11 diswsal as they are considered by the PCC as inallenJk property. otherreal estatè Given the unusual nature and leatures of the freehold proFerties, the properties are held at residual value based on Valuatio by Wright & Cc*, a b¢al estate agent, in November 201011n. Thus, no depreciat¢on has been charged. FiAtures and fillings ems costing up lo £10.(M)O are written off wi period in whh the assets are wuired. Inv•stments Investrnents &e stated a That ¥Uea1the balan sheeldale. Unrealised gains and losses arising from movernents wi market values during Ilp yèar are crediteil or charged to the Statement of Financlal Acthvilies based on the marf(et value at year d. Sto¢h Stock is at the loweT of cost and nel realisable value. D•bfo Trade and other deblot5 are recognised * the Settment vaue before any trade discounts due. Cash al bank Cash at bk and in hd includes cash aThJ short-lerm hiqhly liquid InveSnts a short rnabjtty ollhree months or less from the date of acquisttion or opening of the deposit OT Sitnilar awounls. Cr8dAors crlIOTS and provisions are recognised where the Chaiity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer trf funds lo a third paty and the amount due lo settle the Ob[JaOn e2n be tneasured or estimated reliatly. Creditors and kyowsions are normally recognised al the setlemenl anUnt after allowing for any Ir&1e discounts. Flnancial inslNm6rts Charity onty has financial assets and lis,1111$ of a kind that qualify as ba&c financial insltuments. Basic financial inslnjments are inftially recognised allrans%lh)n value and sub5equenllymeasured atthf fair valLE as althe balanc8 sheet date. Al fInCIal instruments ol the charity are measured at cost. Fina1 assets incllhle Ihe bank bae$, trade debtors and olherdebtors, but exclude ppaYments and taxatbn, Fina liablibes Irlude traje credito, otrer creditors, arnalS and deferred incorne, but exclude scla1 security and othertaxes due. 17
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Regi5t•red Charlty 1132562 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEh1ENTS for the yearended 31 Decembor 2025 (continued) Key Sourcè of Judgement and Estimate Unc•tslnty No signfficanl judgements, aeLounling Fo1leS or assumptions have been rnade by PCC in apptying the Charity's accounting pKJllles. Transacllons involving members of th• PCC andconnectodp•rsons Members of the PCC are obliged lo decla any interest in any proposed transaCtn that invol$ them orconnected rsons, and lo withdraw from any discussiorE and not participate in any vote taken. Any trantiOnS undertaken by or on behalf ofthe PCC aTrJ invclving memb$ Of PCC andlorc0nnl perso are detailed in nL%es11 and 23. 2. Donations, otherthan planned glvlng 2025 2024 Donations under Gift Aid lunreslrK1I Other donations (unrestred} Collections in church services lunreslrfctedl Lk)nations towards restred expenditure 1,452 3,531 2,350 1.554 8,887 2,267 3,321 2,492 3,260 11,340 In 2025. there were no large donations towards restricted expendilure12024.' tsvo large dwations totallng £2,5(MJ inGludirwJ tax r0verae}. Unrestii¢led donalions totslled £7.3{2024.. £8,0) and restricted £1,55412024: £3.2601. 3. Collections for other $p8cific causes (Mtricted The figure of £3,012024.. £4,850) CpriSed £55112024.. £1,769) of giving under Grft Aid £2.45512024'. £3,081) of other giviNJ. (See aLw nok101. 4. Tax received1c1alnd Tax rewverable on g]ng UKier Grft in 2025 is eslimalèj al £9,02212024'. £10,941 est*nated,' £10,5 received). £2,000 was received under the smal donations scheme for the lax year 202412512023124.. £2,000). all of which was recogniwj as clairnable in 2024, aThY afurther £2,(NXI has been re(rJgnised as claimable in 2025. Ot total lax e1ved or cL3imed, £9,889 was in relation lo unreslridgj funds12024.' £11,160) and £1,187 restricted 12024.. £1.8831. S. Grants (rostricted) 2025 2024 The Sawbrmlgeworlh Ecclesiastica Charity.. Church insuran Church cc6ts Ecclesiaslul Insurance The Friends of Great Sl Marfs Archbishops, Council Francis Coales Charilablg Foundation DCMS Listsd Pla of Wotship Grants Scheme (VAT claim} 5,263 12,665 4,400 16.575 5,082 12,390 1,010 2,OLK) 2,301 22,783 7,308 51,211 6. Logacies In 2025, leg&ies were Teceiva from M5ss Fran$ Lane lor Spellbrcok chUh & &hool ¢harity1£271, and from the estates of Roy Ward1£5,(X)01 and 88tty TaybT1£10,000112024,' £2,912 Irom Miss FranS Lane lor Spdlbrook Church & School tharityl. 18
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIAsllcAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH RegIer•d Charity 1132562 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS forthe year ended 31 Doc)ber 2025 Icontlnued) 7. Fees. weddlngs and funerals lunrestrlcted) In accordan th nomial church accounling practice, fees receivable exclude arnounts due lo cleTgy. The fees shown cornprise amounts eanEd by the PCC and amounts payable to the 0Se and to assr61ants for Iheir partipatIon al weddings and funerals Isee also note13I. 8. Property lettings {unrestricted) 2025 2024 Church House Parish Hall Car park The Lodge 6,396 14,488 12,300 5,1(M) 38,284 15,080 13,156 11,825 18,7C() 58,761 9. Invostn*nt Incomè (unrestricted) 2025 2024 1ntereston CCLA Desy)sit Fund Dividends on CCLA Fixed Interest Fund invesiment Dividends on CCLA Investment Fund inve5tsnenl 352 4,352 20,570 25,274 3,1 20.881 24,405 10. Mlsslon & charitable giving 2025 2024 Mlgslon grants to organl8atlens- unregtrlcted India Touch Twsl Ishiksha Ralhl- oVeeaS Missn gmng Friends of the Fkjly Land- oversèas mffSsn giving Twls with a Mission- overs88s mtssion giving Holy Trinity Night Shelter- UKmission gtwng Grove Cottage- UKmission giving Red Kite raw and Sexual Abuse Support Ser¥e- UK ssion gwng Worfd ViSn St Luke's Clergy Wellbeing Centr8 1,225 1,225 1,105 1,105 1,472 816 817 817 300 100 5,300 300 3,982 Distribution of collectlons f¢r specific ¢auwJ- regtricted Women's Workl Day of Prayer Sawbridgeworth Scouts and Gid Guides ISI George's Day SeNcel Train-a-Priesl FU (Lent lunches and LIncing servicE) tlocèsan Ordination Fund Ilnstallalion & LeTing seNce} Christian Aid lu)IlecliDn lins and fundraising) The saWbgewOrth Mayorfs CharitS (Annual Town Civi¢ Service) The Bishop of Sl Alban's Haest Appeal The Royal Biitish Legion- Poppy Appeal {Remembrare Day SeNcel The Children's &)ciety IAdvenl Lunches, Christingle and Crib Servlcel Crisis UK (Christmas colleCtn$) DEC Myanmar Hurricane Beryl DEC Middle East Appeal Funeral Co1CtIonS (local charltiesl 185 114 523 114 141 115 61 379 393 771 216 191 115 462 161 470 259 1,124 1,023 158 1,164 183 5,408 132 3,144 19
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIAsficAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registsred Charity 1132562 NOTES TO THE FINANflAL STATEMENTS forthe yearended 31 December 2025 {continued) 11. Ministy lunre5trictsd) 2025 2024 0CeSan parish share Ckryy expenses Outreach 67,882 5,040 69,920 1,596 536 72,052 73,YJ6 The Vicar aThJ non-sthpendiary priest &e reimburwj for expènses SnoJrr&l on PCC blneSS. 12. Regular church services <unre$tricted) 2025 2024 Cfganists Othercosts 9,452 3,180 12,632 7,085 2,632 9,717 13. Fegs paid- weddings and funerdls lunrestrlcted) 2025 2024 Diocesan fees Fees paid to seNce assrstarts 2,793 2,178 4,971 5,123 2,038 7,161 The PCC retains differen beMeen the lotsl olfe&s receNed and the total offees paid, 14. Proporties- malntenance, repair and utilities 2025 2024 ChurGh Churchyard Church House Parish Hall The LoJge Car park Ulilthes InSurarS 45,239 1,670 12,706 9,463 6,859 1,834 7,304 397 25,208 7,681 71,452 6,510 2,323 23,8 8,852 94.023 £55,909 was in relation to restricted funds12024.' £19,985) aThJ £38,114 unrestricted12024'. £51.4671. ReStted costs comprised £42,823 for the church {2024.' £9,119), £714 lor the churchyafd12024'. £2,892), £1,611 lor Church House12024'. £3,162), £4,380 forlhe Parish Hall12024.' nill, £1,118 forThe Lodge12024'. nill, and £5,263 for church inSuran$(2024. £4,812). 15. Administratlon {unrestrlcted) 2025 2024 Staff costs Bcokkeeping cQMIttee eynses Telephone Equiprnent Printing supplies 16,758 1,594 29 1.389 3.368 1,265 1,125 25,528 16,189 1,699 105 1,422 48 1,121 880 21,464 20
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH R•gisterèd Charity 1132562 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 DKemb•r 2025 Icontinuedl The figure for staff costs in 2025 comprises £16,257 IOT salaries and wages12024'. £15,59¥, £5( for payroll admin1stratJn{2o24.' £5691 and training costs nil12024'. £251. The figure forsaLgries wages in 2025 inclUdj pension costs of £1,(B412024: £1,057I. The figure for office supplEs includes an anwal eble hosting fee 01 £263{24., nil) The average nurnber ol employees durfng the year was one In 202512024.. one). The PCC considers its key management personnel lo wmprise the Vicar, Churchwdrdens and apwinled officials (see page 121. No ernrAoyees receiv&1 over £60,0(X) remuneration during the year12024: nl. No PCC [nemlS Ix other officers were remunerated forlheir role12024. nill. 16. Other expenditure (unrestricted) The ffigure for otherexpenditUTe in 2025 01 £5,024 irKluded £412 on website re-de8ign12024.' £1,500), £240 c IT systems changes12024'. £4321, £1,265 on recruilmenl12024'. £1,3311, £2,180 on licenang receptions aThJ £89 on gifts12024.' £2001. 17. Tanglble fixed assets (unre8trlcted) Freehold land & bulldir@s FJreS & fftbngs Tot7J Valuation I Cost- b8ginning anLI end ofye8r Depreciation- bwnning and8nd of year Net book value- b8ginning and end ofyear 490,fxJO 7,899 ,899 497,899 ,899 490,oryJ 490,000 The amount of freehold land and buildings comprises vajuaions Sl Marfs Lodge £335,(J)O. the Pah Hall £45,000 and chUh House £110,000, prowded by local estat& rfenl Wright & Co in Vember 2010 and reflecting cuThenl usaJ8. Fixlures and fittings wmpiise the sound systern 18. Investments (unrestricted) 2025 2024 Market value al beginniro of year AdditK)nsllMlhdrawalsl 81 cost Gainlllossl on revaluation Market vaue al end of year Theportfolio Gonsists of Invèslments In.. CCLA CBF Church of England Fixed Interest SeGurilies Fund CCLA CBF Church of England Investsnenl Fund 865,070 120,0001 25,672 819,398 873,366 ij),ocoi 21,704 865,070 218,014 601,384 819,398 124,779 740,291 865,070 19. Debtorn (re1vable thin one yearl 2025 2024 Francis Coales Charitable Foundation DCMS Listed FI5 of Worship Grants Tax recoveffble lof which £1,187 reslricled12024'. £1.8201- See Thjte 41 HI lees due lunrestricledl Uncleared chUelUnbanked cash charflable donslions Ir8slrictedl 2,0 926 12,941 11,022 11,051 16,563 20. Short temi deposits (unrnstrlctsd} These cash depcBils are The Centra Board of Finance Church of England Deposit Fund, i managed by CCLA. 21
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charlty 1132562 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ?nded 31 December 2025 {conlinued) 21. Creditors (payable within one yearl 2025 2024 Wedding deprEits lunreslrictedl DIe$- Parish Fees lunrestricledl Distributions DI collections lo Sp%1f Causes Ireslrictedl L(MJge & Sons Irestrictgjl Corona EnGfgy {unfeslricledl Ecclesiastical insuran- The Lodge lunre5titt8dl Independent examination lee {unrestrtedI 300 247 1,273 331 1,615 696 2.4(XJ 6,862 2,147 2,322 4,469 22. Funds BalaKes end-2024 Income in 2025 Expenditure in 2025 Fund transfers Balances d-2025 Property capild Legacy caprtal neral 490,0(M) 545,529 362,824 1,398,353 490,000 560,556 295,082 1,345,638 15,027 125,405 140,432 193.147 1193,1471 Reslrided Monies for speiific caLBes Specthc grants & fuThJraL$4ig 3,144 .324 13,1441 157,6421 12,880 15,562 12,880 63.468 160,7861 15,562 1,411,233 203,0 253,933 1.361,200 For *b exklanation of restricted funds, see page 16. See notes 3 and 10 second part restr1 funds comprising nKIn$for specific causes and £138 in reclaimable lax12023.' £5191. The end-yearbalance comprises nil forothercharities12024.' nil). See notes 2, 5 arn114 lorreslricted donations, grdnls and experKlitute. In addition. there was £1,052 in reGlairnable 18x12024: £1,364), reslrided fundiaising Csf £6,510 12024.. £7,720) and fundraising costs of £1,73312024.' £2,381). Prknryear funds Balances end-2Q23 Income 12024 Expenditure in 2024 Fund transfers Balances end.2024 Unrestricted Property ¢apild acy capilal (er81 490,000 545,529 362,824 1,398,3S3 542,617 358 966 1,391,583 2,912 176,844 179,756 1172,9861 Reslrict8d Monies for speafic causes Specific grants & fundraising 5,370 35,126 15,4081 122,3661 120 12,880 158 40,496 127.7741 12,880 Total 1,391,741 220,252 200,760 1,411,233 22
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAWBRIDGEWORTH Registered Charlty 1132562 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS forthe year ended 31 December 2025 Ic¢)ntsnu•dl 23. Payments to PCC members and connected persons PCC memÈers were reimbursed £1,76612024.' £1,088) for purchases on Èehalf of the PCC, of which $In¢led (x)sls were £32012024.. £8171, aThJ paid £60012024.. £1,020) for verger and chorister servr¢es lunreslricl8J in both years). No oiher payments to PCC mernrs and rA)ntted persons WEre maJe12024.' nill.